Successful Implementation of Age Verification for Joining Social Media Platforms

7 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) whether the Ministry is considering a minimum age limit for children to join social media platforms, to mitigate the potential harm that social media sites can cause on young children; and (b) whether the Ministry has studied any overseas jurisdictions that have successfully implemented age verification for the use of social media platforms.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information (Dr Janil Puthucheary) (for the Minister for Communications and Information) : Sir, currently, most major social media services require users to be at least 13 years old to register for an account. Users have to declare their birth date at the point of registration. As false declarations may be made, some social media services have made efforts to develop technologies, including a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and facial recognition algorithms for proactive detection and the removal of accounts held by underage users, or acting on user reports against such accounts by suspending them.

Age verification, to a high degree of certainty, is technically difficult and the technology continues to evolve. There are concerns over data protection, especially regarding children's data. Balancing data protection concerns with effective and reliable age verification methods is challenging and global standards have not yet been set.

MCI has frequent engagements with our international counterparts on issues related to online safety, especially for young users. We will be introducing measures, including a proposed Code of Practice for Online Safety. The Code will require social media services with significant reach, or impact, to put in place systems and processes to mitigate exposure to harmful content for users in Singapore, with additional safeguards for young users. We will continue to monitor global developments as well as consult extensively, including on the issue of age verification, as we consider additional measures where viable and appropriate.

We also encourage parents to take an active role in engaging and guiding their children on the appropriate age to use social media. Parents may tap on useful resources, such as those produced by the Media Literacy Council that promote safe and responsible online behaviour, including a "Social Media Guide: What is the right age for my child?" which provides tips for parents on when to let their child use social media.

Mr Deputy Speaker : Mr Melvin Yong.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye (Radin Mas) : Sir, I thank Senior Minister of State Dr Janil Puthucheary for his reply. I have one supplementary question. I think as the Senior Minister of State has pointed out, parents are the first influencers for our children and can significantly affect the way their children's attitudes towards all these social media platforms form. Sir, I would like to ask if IMDA can explore creating parents' specific social media literacy programmes to train them on how to help their child navigate the various social media platforms.

I am certain this will help parents, equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills and tools to mitigate any potential harm that these social media may pose to our children.

Dr Janil Puthucheary : Sir, I thank Mr Melvin Yong for his question and for his suggestion, which is a good one. We are doing such things.

There is a broader question of how to support parents and help them be that right guide, the right set of first influencers for their children. There are a few things that we are doing.

The first is a requirement that Internet service providers are required when they offer residential services, to offer residential and mobile Internet filtering services to help parents ensure that children have safe access to the Internet, with several initiatives to provide resources and support to parents – I described one in my original answer. NLB also organises "S.U.R.E. Celebrates Media and Information Literacy" events in October. This provides Singaporeans with skills, how to be discerning when using online information sources and it also includes programmes targeting children, such as the "S.U.R.E. for School".

MOE also works with parents – and not just with the children – to provide online resources, parenting kits and articles to give them the skills, knowledge and tools to be able to help guide their children and better manage their children's online habits.