Social media harms on youth prompt Singapore to consider measures beyond bans: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE: Social media is shaping how children grow up in profound ways, prompting Singapore to consider measures to mitigate its harms, with options extending beyond outright bans, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said.

Speaking to reporters in Hangzhou at the conclusion of a working visit to China on 21 April, Ong stressed that authorities must act on emerging risks linked to digital platforms.

“Our options are open, but we will have to do something about this problem,” he said.

The remarks come as policymakers globally examine the impact of social media on young users, particularly in relation to mental health, behaviour, and online safety.

Concerns over platform features and risks

Ong highlighted specific platform features that may pose risks to adolescents, citing algorithm-driven content feeds, automatically playing videos, and the ability for adults to directly message young users.

These observations were drawn from an expert panel convened by the Ministry of Health, which is currently finalising its report on the issue.

Critics have argued that such features can encourage addictive behaviour and prolonged screen time among youths. Direct messaging, meanwhile, may expose adolescents to cyber-bullying, predatory behaviour, or inappropriate content from unknown individuals.

Rather than imposing a blanket ban, Singapore is studying how these specific concerns can be addressed through targeted interventions.

The Ministry of Digital Development and Information is expected to engage technology companies on these issues as part of ongoing efforts.

Debate over banning social media for youth

The question of banning adolescents from social media has gained traction in several countries.

In December 2025, Australia became the first to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms.

However, such measures have also drawn criticism, with detractors arguing that young users may circumvent restrictions by turning to alternative platforms or technical workarounds.

Ong acknowledged that bans could have some benefits but described them as a blunt instrument.

“Banning is a blunt tool. For adolescents, after all, they do use social media to maintain friendship, keep in touch with friends, and use it for education. So it’s not all bad, it is actually a lot of good,” he said.

The comments reflect a broader balancing act between safeguarding young users and preserving the positive aspects of digital connectivity.

Technology’s wider impact on society

Ong described technology as a “double-edged sword” that is reshaping human relationships and influencing social governance.

He made the remarks while attending the 5th Singapore-China Social Governance Forum in Hangzhou, a biennial platform for officials from both countries to exchange perspectives on managing societal challenges.

Earlier in the day, a delegation of more than 30 Singapore officials visited various sites in Hangzhou to observe China’s approach to grassroots governance.

These included “comprehensive governance centres” located in both a small town and the city.

The centres function as one-stop hubs for mediating community disputes, such as labour disagreements and family conflicts.

Numbering in the thousands across China, such facilities form a central pillar of the country’s grassroots management system and offer professional arbitration services.

The delegation also visited the Hangzhou City Brain operations command centre, a smart city platform that uses big data and artificial intelligence to enhance urban management.

Applications include easing traffic congestion, detecting potential sinkholes, and delivering social services through AI-powered systems.

Converging approaches to governance

Ong, attending the forum as co-chair for the first time, said Singapore and China may start from different perspectives but are increasingly aligning in their approaches to social governance.

Singapore’s policies are shaped by the need to maintain social harmony within a multiracial society, while China often begins from a security standpoint.

“But as we grapple with the complexities, we find that actually there’s a lot of overlap,” he said, noting commonalities in solutions adopted by both countries.

He pointed out that Singapore is similarly strengthening community-level dispute resolution mechanisms, including a pilot Community Relations Unit in Tampines.

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, who was part of the delegation, said the exchange of ideas was beneficial for both sides.

“I think this exchange of perspectives is very enriching for both of us,” he said, adding that Singapore shared its efforts to prevent disputes by addressing inequality, while China outlined methods to resolve issues early.

Balancing technology use and privacy

Ong also addressed the use of technology in law enforcement and governance, emphasising the need for careful and proportionate application.

He cited the installation of cameras in common areas of Housing and Development Board blocks to deter loansharking activities.

“As a result, the numbers came down. And I think if you ask most residents, they welcome it, not much infringement on people’s privacy, but at least it deterred some of these illegal money lenders,” he said.

The acceptance of such measures depends on how technology is deployed and perceived by the public, he added.

“Essentially, we have to use it judiciously.”

Ong contrasted Singapore’s approach with more advanced surveillance applications seen in China, including spectacles linked to databases that can identify individuals such as criminals in real time.

“If you do that in Singapore, maybe people will have a reaction,” he said, underscoring differences in public tolerance and policy context.

Technology and crime dynamics

The rapid advancement of technology has also altered the dynamics of crime, according to Ong.

Quoting a Chinese counterpart, he said: “By the time enforcers are tying their shoelaces, criminals have already finished the marathon because of technology.”

He added that criminals are often quick to adopt digital tools, sometimes more efficiently than enforcement agencies.

Despite this, Ong noted that technology’s influence on social governance is often indirect, shaping behaviours and systems rather than determining outcomes outright.

The visit also provided an opportunity to build relationships with senior Chinese officials, including counterparts involved in governance and law enforcement.

Ong described such ties as valuable and said efforts would be made to maintain them over time.