Proposal for Legislation to Ensure Technology Companies Take Action to Prevent Vulnerable Minors from Accessing Adult Dating Sites
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns a proposal by Mr Lim Biow Chuan for legislation requiring technology companies to prevent minors from accessing adult dating sites due to exploitation risks. Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo highlighted existing legal protections under the Women’s Charter and Penal Code for illegal sexual services or grooming. She noted that the Infocomm Media Development Authority can block prohibited sites under the Internet Code of Practice and that internet service providers must offer parental controls. Schools and the Media Literacy Council provide education on cyber wellness and safe online behavior to help youth exercise judgment regarding online content. Finally, collaborations like the Singapore Together Alliance for Action against online harms guide the government in updating policies, regulations, and public education efforts.
Transcript
58 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether the Government will introduce legislation to ensure that technology companies take action to prevent vulnerable minors from accessing adult dating sites.
Mrs Josephine Teo: Many sites that provide dating services can be found on the Internet. Some serve a legitimate purpose, but there are sites that allow people to be offered money and gifts in exchange for “companionship”. Minors face the risk of being exploited if they access such dating sites.
If there is any procurement of sexual services for payment through such sites, action can be taken under the Women’s Charter. If there is sexual communication or grooming of a minor, action can be taken under the Penal Code.
Under the Internet Code of Practice (ICOP), sites which facilitate illegal activities constitute prohibited material and can be blocked by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
IMDA also requires Internet Service Providers to offer Internet parental control services to their subscribers. Parents may subscribe to such services to manage their children’s access to websites and online services.
In addition to policy and regulation, our schools conduct cyber wellness lessons for students, where students learn to identify and avoid inappropriate online content. The Media Literacy Council (MLC) has been promoting safe and responsible online behaviour through resources and public education activities to encourage online users, including our young, to exercise judgment about the content that they come across online.
There is active collaboration between the people, public and private (3P) sectors on addressing online harms, such as MCI’s Singapore Together Alliance for Action (AfA) against online harms launched in July 2021. These collaborations will help guide us in updating our policies, regulations and efforts to educate and support the public.