Wan Rizal on building an inclusive and safe digital society

Singapore must ensure that digital access does not compromise the mental health and well-being of children, said MP Wan Rizal. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday (Jan 10), he highlighted a three-pronged approach encompassing schools, homes and the Internet to better protect children in the online space. Firstly, schools must continue to build on Singapore’s successes in digital literacy and cyber wellness education to instil a culture of ethical and mindful digital engagement. This should be woven into the fabric of all subjects where appropriate to ensure that children are equipped with digital skills and ethics as a fundamental aspect of their education. Secondly, in homes, the engagement and education of parents in digital safety must be intensified. Parents and guardians must be well-informed and actively involved. There should be regular workshops and resources to empower them to create a safe digital environment. Thirdly, the Internet as the gateway to digital experiences must be fortified. Stringent measures to protect children from online harm, age-appropriate content filters and stricter regulations on digital platforms are necessary to create a safer digital environment. Regulations must be robust and hold social media services and app developers accountable.