Youths are architects of a more cohesive S'pore but risk becoming socially disconnected: David Neo

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo called for a special focus to be placed on youths, who serve as "architects of a more cohesive Singapore".

This is amid a "rising tide of individualism and me-first mentalities" globally.

Neo's comments, made during the Debate on the President's Address on Sep. 25, echoed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's assurances the day before that Singapore will be built with youths in mind.

Youths risk being socially disconnected

During his speech, Neo expressed concern that youths risk becoming the most socially disconnected in real life, despite being the "most digitally connected generation".

He cited a 2022 National Youth Survey which showed the proportion of youth with no close friends doubled from four per cent to eight per cent in the last decade.

"In other words, where we saw no more than one student with no close friends in each classroom, today, we see two or three," Neo explained.

Bonding through arts and sports

To build bonds among Singapore's youth, Neo said that there was a need to tap on the "universal language" of sports, arts and heritage.

Neo cited an example of how three schools — Methodist Girls' School, Boon Lay Secondary and Westwood Secondary — came together in 2023 to form one football team.

The schools trained together three times a week and won their first National School Games title in August 2025.

Neo said that the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Education will create more cluster-level sports competitions and games for youths from different schools, backgrounds and abilities to play together.

The new cluster-level games, which will bring together 16 schools across three clusters at the primary and secondary levels, will be piloted in October 2025 during the new School Sports Fiesta.

Apart from sports, Neo said that the government will do more to make the arts another platform to unite young Singaporeans.

Recognising youth sports achievements

Sharing an anecdote, Neo shared that he spoke to 14-year-old Ainslee Kwang, who became the first Singaporean to reach the semi-finals of the women's 10m dive during the recent World Aquatics Championship.

Kwang had asked Neo why she and other youths in sports such as tchoukball were not recognised in the School Sports Colours Awards when they represented the nation, unlike those in other sports like swimming.

"It's a question that their parents and coaches, and some of our members in this house have asked me as well," Neo pointed out.

To address this, Neo announced that from this year, the number of sports eligible for the Singapore School Sports Colours Award will be more than doubled to include sports such as diving, tchoukball, sport climbing, and 33 others.

Keeping social mobility alive

Recognising youth sports achievements was one of several points Neo made as he was speaking about keeping social mobility alive.

"We must do what we can to keep social mobility alive, and help every Singaporean realise their fullest potential. That includes giving every Singaporean opportunities, uplifting individuals and developing different pathways to success."

He also touched on the need to broaden the definition of success.

"To all our young people, be bold, take the road less travelled, and chase your dreams. We will be with you every step of the way," Neo assured.

Top image via David Neo / Facebook