SINGAPORE \u2013 Social media features such as direct messaging and video auto-play may soon be restricted as the Singapore authorities study ways to protect children from online harms and addiction.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n This comes on the heels of social media bans for those under 16 years old in some countries, and intensifying global clampdowns on addictive social media features, specifically auto-play and infinite scroll, particularly for young users. <\/p>\n Noting that the Government has so far focused its efforts on curbing exposure to inappropriate content, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said the safety of system-level features also needs to be enhanced.<\/p>\n Critics argue that the endless, automatic video playback used by sites such as Instagram and YouTube encourages addictive behaviour and excessive screen time. Direct messaging features embedded in some social media platforms, such as Instagram, also expose children and teens to sexual grooming, bullying or inappropriate content from unauthorised accounts.<\/p>\n The Government is in talks with major social media platforms on the necessary safety enhancements, said Mrs Teo, adding that the restrictions will differ across platforms as they are designed differently.<\/p>\n She was speaking to the media at the newly launched Lorong AI site in One-North on March 27. <\/p>\n \u201cYoung users may be on the receiving end of unwanted interaction (with direct messages) \u2013 parents tell us that they are very fearful, and I completely understand,\u201d said Mrs Teo. <\/p>\n \u201cIn the physical world, we warn our children not to speak to strangers. But if strangers can reach children online, what is the parent to do?\u201d<\/p>\n She added that the Government will consult parents and youth on their views regarding such measures before they are implemented.<\/p>\n Minister of Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo speaking to members of the media during an interview at Lorong AI @ One-North on March 27.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Singapore\u2019s intensified efforts to protect young users have come on the heels of landmark legal precedents.<\/p>\n Earlier in March, a US jury found Meta and YouTube liable for building their services in an addictive manner<\/span><\/a> that caused harm to a 20-year-old plaintiff, who was awarded US$6 million (S$7.6 million) in damages. She began using Instagram at nine, and YouTube at six. Her lawyer claimed that features such as auto-play and infinite scroll are designed to keep people on the apps and make services addictive.<\/p>\n Though an increasing number of countries, such as Australia, Indonesia and France, have moved to ban social media for young users below a certain age,<\/span><\/a> Singapore has been keeping tabs on alternative ways of approaching the issue. <\/p>\n Mrs Teo cited Estonia, which is opposed to a ban for children despite a push by the European Union (EU). The country is of the view that youth need to learn to use social media if they are expected to navigate the digital domain, she said.<\/p>\n In 2025, the country\u2019s justice and digital affairs minister Liisa Pakosta said that it is more important to enforce the strict requirements the EU already has in place for platforms to protect youth. These include the EU\u2019s General Data Protection Regulation, which bans social media firms from processing the personal data of children under 13.<\/p>\n Mrs Teo also cited new laws in New York that prevent apps such as TikTok and Instagram from showing algorithm-driven recommendations to young users. Instead, people under the age of 18 will see posts only from accounts they follow. She said that Singapore is watching how firms will make changes.<\/p>\n Singapore, on its part, has rolled out age assurance requirements that force app stores to gatekeep what those under 18 download from April 1.<\/p>\n Age assurance measures refer to methods to ascertain a user\u2019s age \u2013 either by using government-issued identity documents, or by analysing facial age or online usage data. <\/p>\n The Government has plans to extend these age assurance requirements to social media services.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first place to start with is really age assurance \u2013 you need to be able to tell quite accurately the age of the user,\u201d said Mrs Teo. <\/p>\n She added that platforms that have teen accounts, such as Instagram, will not be able to enforce these protections unless they are able to verify the age of users. <\/p>\n These added layers of safeguards will shore up existing laws that keep major social media services accountable in minimising Singapore users\u2019 exposure to harmful content such as violence or cyberbullying, with additional protection for children. <\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>