Digital Break and Cyber Wellness Programmes for Students in Light of Social Media and Gaming Addiction Trend

108 Mr Lee Hong Chuang asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry will consider incorporating digital break workshops into the standard co-curricular activities (CCA) curriculum for schools as social media and gaming addiction are highly concerning; and (b) how is the effectiveness of existing cyber wellness programs measured against the increasing prevalence of algorithmic content delivery to students.

Mr Desmond Lee: The Ministry of Education has introduced Cyber Wellness lessons in Character and Citizenship Education for primary to pre-university students in our schools to teach them the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of online and offline activities and to be discerning users of technology. This includes learning to manage their use of social media and online games, recognise risks in the digital space and manage negative influences. School programmes, such as the annual "Safer Internet Day", also encourage screen-free time, emphasising the importance of balanced and safe use of technology.

From 2026, all primary and secondary schools have disallowed the use of smartphones and smartwatches during school hours, including during Co-Curricular Activities.

From our internal reviews, students in our schools have been able to learn relevant skills through Cyber Wellness lessons and school programmes. However, these students are at an age where they are still learning to manage their time and resist the extended use of social media and online games. Hence, efforts to teach our young requires a whole-of-society effort, including from parents and the community. Schools will continue to work with parents by sharing resources, expert insights and strategies to help them guide their child in the use of technology and devices.