Singapore Rolls Out National Drive to Cut Children's Screen Time

(MENAFN) Singapore rolled out a sweeping nationwide campaign on Sunday aimed at equipping families with the tools to build healthier digital habits in children from the earliest stages of life.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong personally launched the "Screen Smart From The Start" initiative, designed to give parents practical, structured guidance on managing their children's digital exposure, according to a statement issued by his office.

Speaking at the launch, Wong pledged that his government would make dedicated resources available to help families instil responsible screen habits in children from a young age.

As part of the campaign, parents now have access to the newly launched "Be Screen Smart" portal — a comprehensive platform offering age-tailored guidance across three distinct groups: children aged 0 to six, seven to 12, and 13 to 18. The portal covers strategies ranging from filtering inappropriate online content to establishing clear household rules around device use.

Wong acknowledged that parental anxiety over children's media consumption is nothing new, noting past concerns over comics, television, and video games. However, he warned that today's digital landscape poses a far greater challenge, describing it as "more intense" due to the addictive design of modern platforms, the prevalence of harmful content, and the risks of toxic online interactions.

Among his practical recommendations, Wong urged families to enforce no-phone policies during mealtimes and to keep devices out of children's bedrooms — where late-night usage can go unmonitored. He also advised parents to delay giving their children smartphones for as long as reasonably possible.

The "Be Screen Smart" portal will additionally feature a curated directory of offline family activities for children of all ages, with content timed to coincide with the upcoming June school holidays.

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