REACH (Telegram) 95 - What are your views on efforts to ensure children's digital safety and wellbeing? What more can be done to ensure this?
(SK)
15 Sep 2025 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 9:45 am]
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REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 10:01 am]
đ˘ Topic đ˘
On 12 September (Friday), the Digital Parent Survey findings was released by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI). The study aims to understand how parents are managing the digital activities of their children in order to help the Government better support parents.
This survey was conducted in February and involved nearly 2000 parents in Singapore, with children aged between two and 17. Parents were asked how much time their children spent daily on digital devices for leisure, and about their concerns and what sort of help they need. Almost all the parents surveyed expressed concern about online harm or risk that their child may face while engaging in online activities.
In his 2025 National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke about the impact of technology on young people. He said that Singapore must make full use of technological developments. "But we must also be clear-eyed about the downsides, and manage them carefully. And that means striking the right balance. A balance between protecting our young from the potential harms. And equipping and empowering them to fully exploit the benefits of technology," he added. He acknowledged in his speech that it was difficult for parents "to set boundaries, or even to know what their children are doing" online.
In January, the Ministry of Health provided the stricter screen use guidelines, as part of a national health strategy to encourage children and adolescents to adopt healthier lifestyles. The ministry also advised parents not to use screens to occupy or distract children, and not to use screens during mealtimes.
đŹ What are your views on efforts to ensure children's digital safety and wellbeing? What more can be done to ensure this?
đ Survey Findings
MDDI's survey found that the use of digital devices by young children is "very high". Many children exceeded the Ministry of Health’s recommended daily screen time limits.
Around a quarter of those aged between seven and nine spend more than the recommended two-hour daily screen time limit on weekdays, with the figure doubling on weekends. Parents said they struggle with keeping screens from their children when they are tired or busy.
Parents also reported that their children use devices mostly to game and stream content. Among their top concerns are exposure to inappropriate content, interaction with strangers online, cyber bullying, screen addiction and exposure to misinformation or fake news. "Most parents acknowledged the need for them to play their part in guiding their child’s digital habits, with almost nine in 10 of them already taking at least one action, such as restricting usage duration or content types," said MDDI.
The survey also showed that only 37 per cent of parents feel confident about their ability to guide their children’s digital habits.
đ Support Needed
Parenting has always been challenging, and has been made more complex in the digital age, said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo. "Returning to a play-based childhood will take time, and begins with reshaping norms in children’s digital habits,” she said.
About 59 per cent of parents surveyed wanted more government support to help them manage their child’s digital activities. Among those who were neutral or agreed that more support is needed, about 57 per cent wanted stronger legislation to protect children online, while 44 per cent wanted digital resources or guides.
đ Strengthening Legislation
"The government acknowledges these parental concerns and remains committed to strengthening legislation to better protect our children from online harms," said MDDI.
MDDI noted that the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) introduced in 2023 a code of practice that requires designated social media services to put in place systems and processes to prevent Singapore users, particularly children, from accessing harmful content.
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 10:01 am]
In March, IMDA rolled out a code of practice for app stores to minimise the risk of exposure to harmful content for users, especially children. The designated app stores are also to put in place age assurance measures to prevent young users under 18 from accessing age-inappropriate apps. These measures will be implemented by Mar 31, 2026.
A Bill will be tabled in parliament to establish a new online safety commission by the first half of 2026. The commission will enable victims to get help if they encounter online harms, and hold perpetrators accountable.
đ Resources and Outreach
MDDI said the government will make resources more useful and accessible for parents, while improving community-based outreach. These include in-person programmes, such as workshops for parents. "We will work with partners such as parent influencers to amplify and share bite-sized content through social media," said the ministry.
"We will also work with grassroots, industry and corporate partners to encourage more ground up initiatives and spark a whole-of-society effort to support parenting in the digital era."
Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam said: “Over the years, we have built a sizeable pool of resources to support parents in the digital age through close partnerships with the people, private, and public sectors, particularly through the Digital for Life movement.
"However, fostering healthy digital habits among our young requires sustained and collective effort.
"We will continue working closely with organisations not only to co-create engaging and practical resources and programmes, but also make them more convenient and accessible for parents."
đđť https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/37-cent-parents-feel-confident-child-digital-habits-mddi-survey-5343691
đđť https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/more-than-half-of-children-aged-2-to-6-exceed-recommended-daily-screentime-set-by-moh-survey
----
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:30 am]
The children of today grew up in very different times due to technology. We must be very afraid of technology to restrict it to protect the children. Looks like the population cant be trusted with agency and need govt intervention.
Old days, my parent ate simple food. With food technology, i see parents feed kids stuff laden with artifical chemicals and sugar. More kids are obese than ever. Are we gonna ban junk food from import? We cant trust adults to give adult food to children. Maybe we can have every restaurant serve baby food and only give dangerous adult food if you give nric and sign a waiver. Food companies are clearly evil for worsening the obesity epidemic but is banning them gonna be our first option?
Same for phone. Old days, we dont have it. Can survive just as well. What changed now? Is it because mediacorp sucks? No room for toys? If parents scared of tech, why not take away the phone? Clearly they know the risks when they give their child brainrot and blasting volume in public to keep them occupied.
The internet is hard to control. Do we really want the gov to to do id verification so they know you are adult on whatsapp and reddit? Bonus for linking your identity to what you say online. Should we ban websites that dont do id verification or uses vpns?
I dont believe such regulations will be good in the long term. We need some way parents can keep their child entertained without phones.
Kai Bin, [15/9/2025 10:39 am]
In my opinion, I feel that children under 10 years old shouldn’t get a mobile phone at all and they should only get a phone when they are in P5 or P6. Therefore, my suggestion is for parents or caregivers to bring their children out more often to let them spend more time outdoors instead of spending time on online games or watching YouTube videos.
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:41 am]
I wish the gov surveyed me as a non homeowner if i wanted more gov support to buy hdb. And then use the statistics in their policymaking
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:41 am]
Amazing survey logic going to our policies
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:42 am]
Maybe we can raid the reserves to give children a fidget spinner
Ahin, [15/9/2025 10:42 am]
actually it is double edge sword... I remember the first time when computer came out with DOS... C prompt... all my sibling is not interested in computer. Hence, the result is that, I am better in that area... The earlier you are exposed to technology, the better it is... it is only how we control ourselves to make sure that the technology does not control us.
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:44 am]
Children arent exposed to the technical details in tech. Nowadays apps are a dumbed down system that wont teach computing.
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:45 am]
Young children wont play with code when candy crush is a click away anyway
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:46 am]
I dont think they even play puzzle games too. They watch videos
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 10:48 am]
Card verification can be the way
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 10:49 am]
Using credit card to verify the age
365, [15/9/2025 10:49 am]
It's always easy for parents to push away their parenting responsibilities by saying "parenting is hard". Yeah it is hard, but it doesn't excuse you from being a parent. Your child is your own responsibility.
Were you just pushing phones to them with minimal to no supervision to keep them busy while you're on your own phone?
Were you the ones who make it easy to access unsupervised online purchases by saving your card information?
Did you take any disciplinary actions when your child did something online they aren't supposed to?
Parents need to self-reflect also. If you need government intervention for everything, might as well just take all the kids and put them in a specialized government facility to raise them.
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:50 am]
Actually, watching brainrot vids is a drug. Iirc, it activates the same parts of the brain. And these content creators specifically design it to keep children hooked
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 10:51 am]
Parents nowadays is not like before. Their responsibility in work have increased. And their work involved smart devices. So children cannot differentiate are they playing or working
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:51 am]
Just like sugar and caffeine, these things are bad for children when too much. But its the parents responsibility to take it away
đ, [15/9/2025 10:51 am]
Still seeing many parents give iPads when eating outside at food courts and restaurants. 4 year old kids. Across all SES and spectrum. Parent is only eating own food. Could have spent more time to feed the kid and coax the kid. Weekend. Not weekday evening busy and tired.
365, [15/9/2025 10:53 am]
Whether the parents are working or playing on their devices is another matter. The main point is are they delegating part of their role as parents (interaction with their child) to a device instead?
365, [15/9/2025 10:56 am]
I still believe in "if you don't parent your child early on, society will do it for you eventually". And more often than not in a way that no one wants.
If parents do not want to properly do their parenting job, and still wants external help, then they better be prepared to give up shielding their child from whatever society will throw at them to shape them properly.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 10:57 am]
Where got time to parenting
Adam, [15/9/2025 10:59 am]
I would say parents also need some rest on weekends. But regardless, they dont have alternative to entertain kids.
Long time ago i think some McDonald's have playground inside. What if we put playground and family corner beside hawker center?
Adam, [15/9/2025 11:00 am]
Let kids be active while parent eat. Then they can feed child when they become tired
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 11:00 am]
[ Poll : What do you think is the most effective way to support parents in managing their child's digital habits? Share your reasons in the chat! ]
- Stronger legislation to protect children online
- Digital resources or guides
- Workshops or parenting programs
- Others (pls share in the chats!)
đ, [15/9/2025 11:02 am]
New food centres have playground right beside.
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 11:03 am]
Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
đŹ What are your views on efforts to ensure children's digital safety and wellbeing? What more can be done to ensure this?
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous. You can choose multiple answers for this poll.
Thank you!
Megan đ
Adam, [15/9/2025 11:04 am]
Oh. Maybe its not my area. I think the shopping malls i frequent also no room for playground. No incentive for them to make free play areas. Quite expensive to do those $1 kiddy rides when eating out
đ, [15/9/2025 11:06 am]
I meant those very new format food centres Canberra, Woodleigh, Bukit batok West
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 11:51 am]
Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you! đ
đŹ What are your views on efforts to ensure children's digital safety and wellbeing? What more can be done to ensure this?
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! đ The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous. đ¤Ť
Thank you!
Megan đ
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 11:56 am]
1. I feel that nowadays parenting is not easy. Especially it is make worst with smartphone that can access many things in web, some are very harmful ones to the young age.
2. I would say that I, my siblings and close friends circle children are not expose to the smartphone threat to internet as during our children times, smartphones are not readily available.
Now all are grown up.
3. Hence to feel for the desperation of the parents with young children, it must be at their wit's end.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 12:00 pm]
4. Personally as an adult, I find surfing social media can be quite addictive and some contents are quite harmful.
I am quite disturbed when happen to come across videos that are violent, sites that promote unwholesome ideas or products.
5. Hence I can envisaged how will children of younger age take it when viewing such contents.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 12:05 pm]
6. Children at young age are unable to rationalise how to process unwholesome and violent content - and could adversely affect them in their upbringing, mental formation and could even affect their mental health.
7. Hence I feel there are merits at the parents end with young children to seek the government help to filter the unwholesome contents from the internet via parental control.
8. This not only happened in Singapore but more liberal countries from the West.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:29 pm]
I have once watched a video that say if you don't want your child addicted to phone you need to give them things that is better than phone. Eg doing sports, travelling, photography playing with them which requires time and money that people nowadays lack off
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 12:30 pm]
I think working parents have not much time to do this with their children.
Hence smartphone become the nanny.
365, [15/9/2025 12:32 pm]
Running, cycling, hiking, all these don't cost much, or is even free.
Adam, [15/9/2025 12:32 pm]
Looks like parenthood is too difficult for dual income. Can a single income household with one housewife
/husband sustain a family here? Can we afford a house like the old days with only one parent working?
365, [15/9/2025 12:32 pm]
Is it just excuses and excuses. The most convenient one to use is something that can rile up everyone without it being necessarily true.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:33 pm]
The main gese is spending time with children
365, [15/9/2025 12:33 pm]
You can do that through engaging in all these activities together.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 12:33 pm]
1. Technically I have encountered technical difficulties when installed with parental control on my laptop even though I am technically competent.
2. Parents that are lacking in technology competency will be much worst off I guess.
3. Hence I am not surprised parents are seeking government help for young children accessing internet with their digital devices.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:35 pm]
Something is wrong when the helper knows more than you about your kid
Hanny, [15/9/2025 12:38 pm]
There are good and bad sides of everything. Screen time must be monitored.
When my son was in primary school, my firewall prevented him from using internet.
I loosened up when he was in secondary school. But we still tell him to stop from time to time.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:39 pm]
The main issue is both parents need to work for long periods of time and left the weekend exhausted.
Parents is also addicted
Hanny, [15/9/2025 12:39 pm]
Most important is to do what you say you will do. Don’t say A but then you do B.
Hanny, [15/9/2025 12:41 pm]
One friend has a boy and this boy somehow managed to buy a game. She did not delete the game. Her reason was bought already.
My son did the same and my wife deleted the game.
365, [15/9/2025 12:42 pm]
You can even find videos of parents destroying gaming consoles they have bought because the child spent too much time on it.
It just boils down to how serious you are about parenting and what is your priority? Is that monetary loss more important than your child's discipline?
Adam, [15/9/2025 12:43 pm]
Parents and children need to be educated on how to use digital banking. Maybe banks can also step up authentication too
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 12:44 pm]
4. I happen to encounter a virus attack in my laptop and to wipe out the virus thoroughly in my laptop - I reinstalled and reformat my laptop.
5. However during installation, it prompt me for my age, and I casually type in 16 years old.
6. This is where my nightmare start because after that parental control kicks in.
7. Smooth installation and configuration are no longer the norm.
Administrative rights become limited and many of my apps cannot be installed.
8. It took me a long time to troubleshoot what happens to the installation process and even though I successfully installed the operating system, alot of my previous apps don't work.
9. Finally my son use Chatgpt to enquire the problem I face and the likely cause.
10. My son noted that one of the likely cause is age below 18 years old - that kick in the parental control.
11. After one day of ordeal grappling with the technical difficulties, finally we have found the root cause of the installation problem.
12. And with the new found knowledge, I reinstalled the operating system again, this time putting my age above 18 years old - and all the technical problems solved.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:44 pm]
Gaming is a form of social interactions just that it's going digital
Adam, [15/9/2025 12:45 pm]
If we apply the same regulation logic to banking as what parents expect of internet, then we have to ban mobile payments and credit card as its too risky and we have to think of the children
Adam, [15/9/2025 12:45 pm]
Lets bring fintech back to the 90s to protect the children
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:45 pm]
I pretty sure y'all go out and play for hours when y'all are young
Adam, [15/9/2025 12:46 pm]
Im too socially akward back then. I sit home watch tv. Discovery channel, nat geo, animal planet was good
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:46 pm]
Do parents allow that
Adam, [15/9/2025 12:47 pm]
I think a big problem is tv is so bad these days. Got horrible ads too. They go youtube instead.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:47 pm]
Lol when I was a kid I watch cartoon and my mum comes back and cut the wire...
365, [15/9/2025 12:47 pm]
Yeah but within reasonable time. If it's time to go, it's time to go. The logic here is the parents control the time allocated for playing.
Adam, [15/9/2025 12:48 pm]
I think if children play football in void deck people complain
Adam, [15/9/2025 12:48 pm]
New hdb i think got no void deck anyway
365, [15/9/2025 12:49 pm]
It's to point back on the similarities of gaming and playing outside as social interaction, as he was previously comparing. Both are acceptable for their times, but within reasonable time and schedule.
365, [15/9/2025 12:49 pm]
Ever seen those that play until they don't even have proper meals.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 12:49 pm]
Hence I agree with the parents difficulties in parental control if indeed their children smartphone come with it and need government help for the parents.
Because even techie like me also get into difficulties as many administrative rights are removed - and extremely difficult to navigate the digital device.
Not to mention coaching the children.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:50 pm]
So I guess when parents don't even allow to watch TV back then and these parents grown up and become one
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:50 pm]
They allow all the way
365, [15/9/2025 12:51 pm]
Exactly. It is till the point of over-regulation already.
365, [15/9/2025 12:52 pm]
Do you also want the government to impose quantity limits and ID verification when buying snacks and unhealthy beverages? You can apply the same logic to protect children and their health.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:52 pm]
For 18+ website they need credit card verification
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:53 pm]
I think it will be good
365, [15/9/2025 12:53 pm]
There is vpn
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:53 pm]
To create a account
365, [15/9/2025 12:54 pm]
That doesn't stop anything. 18+ websites don't require any accounts to access.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:54 pm]
Well for young kids they won't know vpn until a certain age...
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:55 pm]
Or maybe I am underestimate them
365, [15/9/2025 12:55 pm]
I'm pretty sure you're underestimating them.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:56 pm]
But at least Google play apps can be applied
365, [15/9/2025 12:56 pm]
You can think 1 or 2 decades back, I reckon the adults think that kids won't know what a credit card is, and here we are.
365, [15/9/2025 12:56 pm]
For Google apps, there's parental control and age restriction.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 12:56 pm]
But why would parents give credit card details to children
365, [15/9/2025 12:57 pm]
They don't, the kids just stole the cards used it themselves from what I've heard.
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:03 pm]
Nowadays there is a massive push for digital payments. Lots of places these days dont do cash. Are we gonna teach kids proper usage? Teach parents not to share their wallet? Nah, its easier to just ask gov to restrict digital payments so you have to login singpass and make children use cash.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:05 pm]
1. At the concept level, I support parental control for young children 18 years below - because as an adult I also find it mentally challenging to process some websites with gruesome violent content, sites that promote deviant ideas and behaviour.
It disturbs my mood and my sleep when viewing such contents.
In fact when I come across such contents, I will skip it.
Children will have more challenges when they come across such contents. Hence parental control by filtering such contents and apps will be helpful.
2. But at technical level, wonder how can this be done?
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:06 pm]
Still though, banks need to buck up in authentication for credit cards. If kids stealing cc details can use it. Whats stopping much smarter scammers, hackers and theives?
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:09 pm]
Whats stopping children from running on the road? Or driving car? If police see children cross road anyhow with parents, who gets scolded?
If off duty polis see children look at disturbing stuff, will they educate them?
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:10 pm]
If we are truly serious, there will be regulation and parents will hate it. Otherwise its all talk
365, [15/9/2025 1:10 pm]
It's to point out that kids can learn and pick up things quite easily. I agree that we can teach proper usage (done by the parent as part of their parenting responsibility), but not over-regulate the internet.
The government can restrict their own service to use singpass and verification, not tell the entire internet to do the same.
Parents can have their own style, whether they want to share cards (credit or debit) or have their own kids use cash, but they will have to deal with the consequences themselves.
365, [15/9/2025 1:12 pm]
Actual physical access. This is part of the MFA that is preventing hackers already. Not sure what this would be in English, but there's a Chinese saying ćĽé˛ĺ¤é˛ĺŽśč´źéžé˛
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:12 pm]
Imagine a super regulated world where there will be 'ambassadors' shutting down tablets in mrt and giving fines for these harmful behavior.
We already do it for hawker center and its effective. Do we want that? Do parents want that? They asked for more gov intervention right?
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:13 pm]
3. I venture a guess.
4. When the parents buy a smartphone for their kid that come with Sim card or eSim, I presume the kid NRIC will need to be produced in the kid's name to be registered with the telco provider.
5. The smartphone will come with OS - Google Android or Apple iOS?
6. During registration, the telco service provider or its agents will reconfigure the OS with parental control that will automatically restrict the administrative rights of the smartphone and control what apps they can use or filter off undesirable contents for apps the can access?
7. Now parents and children will need to be familiar with the smartphone that comes with parental control - because it will akin to a very unfamiliar device whereby access are wilfully restricted and navigating it will be a challenge.
8. So education on how to use the parental control digital devices will be needed for both the children and parents who are coaching their children.
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:14 pm]
Lol would barely work. The kid will nag and complain why got no tiktok on phone then parent will give their account
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:17 pm]
The children will still have access to tiktok with children content but access to other contents blocked I guess.
Can the service provider do this with Tik Tok apps?
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:18 pm]
I wouldnt trust youtube kids. I feel we need to have better curated content
365, [15/9/2025 1:18 pm]
The issue lies in why parents are giving in to their kids demand.
365, [15/9/2025 1:18 pm]
Who is the authoritative figure in this dynamic
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:19 pm]
Kinda wonder why they dont show stuff like spongebob and other 90s cartoons. They hold up well right? Or is it hard to find?
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:20 pm]
Not that its the best stuff to distract but probably better than the stuff these days shortening attention span
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:25 pm]
Back in the old days parents will probably complain kids watching cartoons instead of reading book though
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:25 pm]
Would a book distribution program help?
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:27 pm]
Or are kids too addicted to short form content instead of reading?
365, [15/9/2025 1:30 pm]
A lot of these are habits. There are still kids who choose to read in their spare time instead. This usually arises from good parenting cultivating their reading habits from young.
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:31 pm]
Yeah, hard to instill habits especially if parents dont follow. Kids will think parents are hypocrites telling them to read while proceeding to watch tiktok on phone themselves
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:32 pm]
Source:- Google AI
To set up parental controls on an Android device, you can use the built-in "Digital Wellbeing and parental controls" feature or install the Google Family Link app. Both methods involve linking your child's Google account to your own, allowing you to manage screen time, app installations, content restrictions (like age ratings for apps and movies), and even track your child's location. You can also set up content restrictions in the Google Play Store by creating a PIN to protect settings and purchases.
Using Android's Built-in Features (Google Family Link)
This is the primary method to set up parental controls on Android devices, though it may also be referred to as the "Parental controls" feature in the "Digital Wellbeing" section.
On the parent's device: Open the Google Family Link app.
On the child's device: Open the Settings app, go to "Digital Wellbeing and parental controls," and then select "Parental controls".
Get started: Tap "Get started," choose "Child or teen," and tap Next.
Link accounts: Follow the prompts to select your child's Google account or create one, then sign in with your parent account.
Configure settings: After linking, you can set app time limits, manage app usage, and set downtime schedules from your own device using the Family Link app.
Using the Google Play Store's Parental Controls
This method provides more direct control over content within the Play Store itself.
Open the Google Play Store: On either device, open the Google Play Store app.
Access Settings: Tap your profile icon, then go to "Settings" and select "Family".
Enable Parental Controls: Turn on the "Parental controls" option.
Create a PIN: Set a PIN that your child doesn't know to protect these settings and any purchases.
Set Content Restrictions: Select the types of content you want to filter (apps, games, films, TV, etc.) and choose the rating levels you find appropriate for your child.
What You Can Control
Screen time: Set daily limits and schedules for device usage.
App usage: Block or allow specific apps and games.
App installations: Approve or deny app installation requests from the Play Store.
Purchases: Restrict or require a PIN for in-app purchases.
Content filtering: Filter apps, games, movies, and TV shows based on age ratings.
Location: Monitor your child's location using their device.
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:33 pm]
The funny thing is that the govt looks like it plans to do 'parental control' on all of singapore to make sure they control what we see.
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:34 pm]
Pretty sure china does it effectively
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:34 pm]
Hmmmm...
Indeed, Android has parental control.
Guess government will need to conduct course for parents on how to use parental control to control the children's smartphone.
Likewise, children will need to attend course how to use the smartphone with parental control.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:35 pm]
I am very sure this is not the intent.
Nor is there any government statement that say so.
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:39 pm]
Just hope we dont have uk online safety act
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:42 pm]
1. I have briefly navigated the Android "Digital Wellbeing and parental controls" in my smartphone - and notice that the child needs to create a Google account.
The control is via a child Google account.
2. Immediately, I noticed a loophole that smart techie kids can bypass.
3. The kid can create another Google account and delink his/her Google account in which their smartphone are being managed by the parents' parental control - and they can access all internet content bypassing the parental control.
Adam, [15/9/2025 1:42 pm]
That smart kid will grow up to become a good software dev
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:43 pm]
4. Hence government will need to work with Google and our telco service providers to come up with a foolproof parental control mechanism to be effective.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:50 pm]
5. Btw, I realise setting parental control for children devices and parents monitoring devices - require alot of technical knowledge.
6. I feel that parents doing so will find it very challenging. Less techie ones will be overwhelmed.
7. Hence parents will need government or service providers help to do so.
8. But intuitively, I find it will be a cat and mouse games between parents and children in the era of AI.
9. Because children could have used AI to attempt to bypass the parental control in their devices.
10. For parental control to succeed, a foolproof measures will be needed.
Hence government when implementing policies and laws will need to work closely with Google, Apple and telco service providers to make sure it works.
11. Education with parents and children will also be needed in how to use the parental control.
12. I don't find it easy and can be technically challenging in how to configure and then use it effectively.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 1:59 pm]
Source:- Google AI
To change or switch to another Google Account on your Android device, go to your phone's Settings, then Google, tap the arrow next to your current account name, and select Add another account to sign in with a different Google Account. Once added, you can switch between multiple accounts within many Google apps, such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, by tapping the menu and selecting your account from the list.
Adding a New Google Account to Your Android Device
Open Settings: Find and tap the Settings app on your Android device.
Navigate to Google: Scroll down and tap on Google.
Access Account Options: At the top, tap the small arrow next to your current Google account's name to see a list of your accounts.
Add Account: Select Add another account.
Sign In: Follow the prompts to enter the email or phone number and password for the Google account you want to add. You may need to complete a two-step verification step.
Agree to Terms: Agree to Google's terms and conditions, and the account will be added and synced to your device.
Switching Between Accounts in Google Apps
Open a Google App: Launch an app like Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
Access the Menu: Tap the Menu icon, typically in the top-left corner.
Select Your Account: Tap on your current email address at the top of the menu.
Choose an Account: Select the other Google account you want to use from the list that appears.
This process allows you to use multiple Google accounts on the same Android device, switching between them within specific Google apps as needed.
Switch between multiple Google accounts - Android - Google Docs Editors Help
Google Help
Sign in to multiple accounts at once - Android - Google Help
Accounts have separate settings You can control your settings separately for each of your accounts. When you sign in to multiple accounts, account settings usua...
Google Help
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 2:01 pm]
đ˘ Topic đ˘
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 2:01 pm]
See how easy I solicit the help of AI to hack the parental control?
Smart techie kids can do likewise.
In the past, without AI, I will probably have to fiddle with the OS and using trial and error to hack it. It could take me 1/2 hours to do so.
Now with AI, it just take me 5 seconds to type my prompt to discover the parental control settings in Android and another 5 seconds to type in the prompt how to redirect to another google account and hack through.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 2:04 pm]
I hope primary school not really using smartphone as a tool
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 2:04 pm]
So parents can say you no need a phone
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 2:05 pm]
I do not have a phone in primary school so I think it works
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 2:05 pm]
Only secondary school I got my first smart phone
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 2:07 pm]
Restrict 18 years below means only Universities then can use smartphone without parental control.
JC, Polytechnic and ITE also need parental control.
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 3:01 pm]
Dear Contributors,
Please take a moment to participate in our polls đ and share your opinions đ. The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.
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Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 3:04 pm]
Schools should consistently remind students how to use digital tools correctly
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 3:04 pm]
Up to poly and jc
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 3:05 pm]
Eg school diary teachers can guide how long their screen hours is
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 3:06 pm]
And reflect if it is so much or just nice
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 3:09 pm]
In poly at least rp we have mentor programme. Maybe we can have it in primary and secondary school where students can meet the mentor to voice out concern after a certain period of time
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 3:10 pm]
And they can talk about screen time too
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 3:11 pm]
Not only on screen time but maybe other aspect and mentor can advise them what to do
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 4:01 pm]
Just now in and around MRT, saw many students - primary schools, secondary schools, JCs (notice their T-shirts print), IHLs.
About 80% using their smartphones.
I peek into their phones to see what apps are they accessing.
Some see cartoon apps, some play games, many see Tik Tok (or could be Instagram or YouTube because their interface look alike).
Wonder how parents control so many children's smartphone...
I think telco service providers and government will have a nightmare administrating them if they come under parental control - in terms of installation, configuration, education, how to use parental control, encountering problems, troubleshooting, controlling what content can be accessed and what contents to be filtered etc...
Not an easy tasks.
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 4:04 pm]
đ˘ Topic đ˘
RY, [15/9/2025 4:11 pm]
Parental controls | How to keep your child safe https://share.google/yed1Q0HPcX89w98c7
RY, [15/9/2025 4:11 pm]
Kids, No Phones at the Dinner Table: Analyzing the People’s Republic of China’s Proposed “Minor Mode” Regulation and an International Right to the Internet | Chicago Journal of International Law
https://cjil.uchicago.edu/print-archive/kids-no-phones-dinner-table-analyzing-peoples-republic-chinas-proposed-minor-mode
RY, [15/9/2025 4:21 pm]
Above are how other countries eg Aussie/China has revised law about children (minority) internet/social media use
Maybe SG govt may also study/learn from other countries
Also, the internet platform operators must play their part in the content suitable for children to access
Just like it is the platform operators eg facebook to monitor postings eg fake news/inapproriate contents to be posted
Also, there shd be law administering the platform operators
Similarly, parents have to play their role in setting parental control in children tech devices
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 4:23 pm]
Having say so, notice that all over the world, even the liberal western countries all trying to attempt parental control on kids 18 years and below.
Even Microsoft use its operating system to do it.
So I guess the harm of internet to children must be real.
I think no matter how big the hurdle is, parental control can and need to be done.
But Government, Telco providers, parents and the public must be aware of the daunting task ahead of us.
For the sake of our children, we must persevere.
RY, [15/9/2025 4:26 pm]
To me, I truly enjoy my childhood during the non-tech/smartphone era
Nowsaday, the young generation children are too smart (than parents/adults) , as they easily find/access to info/data with this tech era and in fact children are more tech-savvy than adults in this era
RY, [15/9/2025 4:30 pm]
However I do agree parental control is nec, since children brain is still not matured to determine right/wrong, and they easily brainwash and also many fake news/info circulating in social media
The recent news in USA, a young kid learn fm TikTok and go around and press other people door bells, and later shot to death ...it is certainly a tragedy ...
RY, [15/9/2025 4:37 pm]
No phone in dinner table is a gd table etiquettes
Bec dining time is also a bonding/gathering time with family/friends/relatives/colleagues and etc - hence treasure the physical time spend together
Dont always be on the phone during dining, and this is also showing respect to others/diners sametime
RY, [15/9/2025 4:42 pm]
Research has clearly show that too much screen time/3C is not gd for health/eye, whether it is kids/adults/elderly
Hence, learn to have a break fm screen time, eg look more greenary/exercise/bonding time and etc
Eg msg may reply after, and enjoy the food while eating
As enjoying food is also part of our blessing and better for health in terms of digestive systems
RY, [15/9/2025 4:45 pm]
Having said abt the "parental control/limit screen time" and etc
Parents/Adults shd also set a gd example since they are the ones setting the family/house rules, ya
Eg no phone during dining time
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 5:37 pm]
Source :- Google AI
Yes, changing the Google account on a child's device can make parental controls ineffective, as the controls are tied to the supervised account. However, the ability for a child to change this depends on their age and specific supervision settings. If a child is under the age of 13, they generally cannot add other accounts to their supervised device, and any attempt to do so should be blocked by Family Link.
When a child might change their Google account:
They reach the age of majority:
If your child reaches the age of 13 (or the applicable age in your country), they can choose to end supervision, which would allow them to change their account or remove supervision altogether.
Account management is not properly set up:
If the account is managed through a web browser instead of the Family Link app, it might not be fully protected and could be more easily bypassed.
How to prevent changes to the Google account:
Ensure Family Link is set up correctly:
For robust supervision, use the Family Link app to manage your child's device settings, rather than relying on web-based controls alone.
Limit additional accounts:
Family Link prevents children from adding additional Google accounts to their supervised devices, which helps maintain the integrity of parental controls.
To maintain effective parental controls:
Regularly check your Family Link settings:
Make sure the supervision settings are correct after any device or account changes.
Be aware of your child's age:
The rules around stopping supervision are different for children who are above the age of majority.
Add & manage supervision on a current Google Account
What parents can't check or do. Important: Your child won't be able to stop supervision until they reach the applicable age to manage their own Google Account.
Google Help
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 5:40 pm]
1. Confirm that age above 13 years old, if techie kids knows how to create additional Google account, it can delink the original Google account that are tie to parental control and bypass the control.
2. So age 18 years to 14 years can hack and bypass parental control.
How to do it?
Steps to remove parental controls for a child over 13:
Child decides to stop supervision: The child who is 13 or older can choose to stop supervision themselves.
Parental removal: The parent can also choose to remove supervision at any time.
Sign in and stop supervision:
Go to families.google.com/familylink (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://families.google/familylink/faq/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwii3dOyv9qPAxUaxTgGHRZ5AMkQjJEMegQIJhAB&usg=AOvVaw0WUEKsOIR6y2RnuXJ7uFoI) on a web browser.
Sign in with the parent's account.
Select the child's account.
Click on the option to remove or stop supervision for that account.
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 5:41 pm]
At that age kids wants to take control of their own things
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 5:42 pm]
Just like I created FB when I was primary 3
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 5:44 pm]
So I guess it's proper guidance in school and at home
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 5:45 pm]
School need to teach how to use digital things proper and cooperation with parents is the key
Jun Ming, [15/9/2025 5:45 pm]
Allied educator is a key. Bring back them
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 5:55 pm]
I have checked whether doing a factory reset can remove parental control or not for ages below 13 years old.
Google AI say cannot.
So looks like 13 years old and below is safe.
But age 14 years old to 18 years old can hack and bypass parental control.
365, [15/9/2025 5:56 pm]
If need be, govtech or relevant authorities can create an app to assist parents with monitoring, linking a child and parent's phone and allowing the parent to set controls and monitor for or even block activities of interest, such as downloading apps or making purchases.
It's actually similar to how organizations control their devices, but you can make an easier interface for the layperson.
There is obviously a cost component to this, so it won't and shouldn't be free, but it's not mandatory either.
It'll be available for market use also (not limited to just Singapore users) just like any other normal app, paid or unpaid.
The point is to create a viable product to assist parents if there isn't already 1 in the market with requested features.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 5:56 pm]
Source:- Google AI
No, a standard factory reset from the child device's settings won't remove parental controls for 13 years and below like Google Family Link (https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-vivo-rvo3&hl=en-SG&cs=0&sca_esv=5b71cfa89013eb9f&sxsrf=AE3TifPzLV-W1biGWAoITUEkttz2w2Djgw%3A1757930153855&q=Google+Family+Link&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJocKSwNqPAxWtSWwGHSq7KiQQxccNegQIAhAC&mstk=AUtExfAwY78X-TsDZGIDHUmwqXrhTE3uxYAeAckrcWF7afJfm8mJQRQ-HUykxBczOjrx0xNgd-l1FJy1_XDHM-fV9f-wduyNl0Hrsvq80ivt_d25Bb-_TzLlQlPW2PTOXmkn7ai-0Zx3jh8SZSPdgtMe0WY5I-IKPJkW3Yynsh_PBXlZml4VZmJ60HSLt-rWvWK2iMp4iodbKd1GQOa13iARdeaWDJVQhxNws00TIeQbhnGIGFGE3TzGsd7TjMxh5gvQRhwNaYoVoUbZB1qcuy0hseqN&csui=3) because the controls are actively preventing it.
Instead, the parental control must first be removed from the parent's device via the Family Link app, or the device must be reset from the parent's device using the same app to initiate the erase process.
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 6:02 pm]
đ˘ Topic đ˘
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 6:10 pm]
One simple way to solve the 14 to 18 years old bypass - is to request Google to change Android parental control to 18 years old instead of 13 years old.
Problem solved.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 6:20 pm]
SG secure have just trigger a đ¨ siren....
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 6:29 pm]
To summarise:-
So this means that configuring Google Android "Digital Wellbeing and parental controls" feature in Android Settings is not good enough.
It can be hacked and bypass.
Need to go Google Play store to download the "Family Link app" to effectively prevent smart techie kids from hacking and bypassing the parental control for kids below 13 years old.
For kids year 14 to 18 years old, even "Family Link app" is not good enough and can be bypass.
Need to work with Google to raise parental control from 13 years old to 18 years old in Singapore context.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 6:37 pm]
Source:- Google AI
Yes, you can make parental controls ineffective, either by a parent disabling them through the Family Link app, or by a child who is old enough (typically over 13) stopping supervision themselves. To stop Family Link, the parent can open the app, select the child's profile, go to "Account Settings," and follow the prompts to stop supervision. A child can stop supervision by opening their own Google Account, going to "Manage your Google Account," and finding the option to stop supervision.
For Children (if over 13): How to Stop Supervision
If your child is over 13, they can stop supervision by managing their own account:
Go to their Google account: through the Family Link website or the account settings on their device.
Locate the "About supervision": section.
Select "Stop supervision": and confirm their choice.
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 6:45 pm]
So Govtech can save alot of development efforts and government can save taxpayers money - just work with Google to change the age parameter from 13 years old to 18 years old in the "Family Link app".
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 6:46 pm]
Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
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Megan đ
LCL (Danny ĺż), [15/9/2025 6:52 pm]
Without AI such project usually take a few weeks to test out, trial and error.
Now with AI, just 1 day can achieve similar outcome - testing parental control just with a smartphone.
Hmm .. no wonder AI can achieve productivity phenomenally and yet not replacing the knowledge workers that put AI outputs into good use.
REACH Singapore, [15/9/2025 6:59 pm]
Dear Contributors
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan đ
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