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S'pore to limit screen use of kids in preschools & schools with stricter guidelines

Too much screen time is no good.

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January 23, 2025, 03:36 AM

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Singapore is introducing stricter guidelines on screen use for children in preschools and schools.

This move is part of Grow Well SG, a new national strategy launched on Jan. 21 to address children’s health, according to a joint release by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

The initiative seeks to improve preventive care and inculcate healthier lifestyles in children and adolescents, and will focus on children aged up to 12 years old.

It will then be extended to older children subsequently.

MOH said during a media briefing on Monday that studies have shown screen use can impact the central nervous system and brain developments, CNA reported.

Adhere to code of practice

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will update its code of practice for preschools, effective Feb. 1.

This is to mandate no screen use for infants up to 18 months, even though most preschools currently do not use screens in their care for infants, MSF clarified, CNA also reported.

Preschools need to adhere to the code of practice, which is enforceable by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), The Straits Times reported.

Stricter guidelines

Screens can only be used for teaching and learning purposes for children aged 18 months to six years, under the revised code of practice.

Research has shown that inappropriate and excessive screen use has led to poorer language skills and shorter attention spans in infants and toddlers.

MOH has also updated its previous guidance on screen use for children up to six years old.

This group of children should have their screen use limited to a maximum of an hour a day outside of school.

For those aged between seven and 12, the ministry recommended less than two hours a day of screen use, unless related to schoolwork.

It also discouraged parents from giving children unrestricted access to mobile devices, or any access to social media services.

MOE also provided more detailed guidelines on managing students’ use of smartphones and smartwatches in primary and secondary schools.

Schools can set up dedicated storage spaces for students to deposit their phones, or allow use of devices at certain times, such as during recess or after school, or at limited areas.

Here are the revised stricter guidelines for each age group:

Below 18 months old

  • No screen use except for video chatting
  • Screens in the background not allowed when child engaged in other activities

18 months to six years

  • Keep screen use to less than one hour a day outside school
  • Avoid passive screen use and not leave screens in background
  • View media with children
  • Do not use screens to occupy or distract
  • Choose age-appropriate educational content
  • No screens during meals and one hour before sleep

Seven to 12 years

  • Keep screen use to less than two hours a day if not for school work
  • Have timetable for screen use
  • Talk to children about online activities
  • No unrestricted access with mobile phones
  • Use parental control settings to limit access to age-appropriate content and apps
  • No social media
  • No screens during meals and one hour before sleep

Top photo via Unsplash

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