Tracking and Limiting Excessive Screen Use among Seniors
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Government collects data on the amount and nature of screen use among seniors, raised by Ms Lee Hui Ying and Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye. In response, Minister Josephine Teo stated that survey data shows 49% of seniors aged 60 and above spend one to two hours daily on leisure device use, while 38% spend three to five hours, with no notable differences across age groups. She highlighted that 79% of seniors felt they spent the right amount of time on devices, and while 45% reported negative impacts on their well-being, 75% of those affected found effective ways to manage their screen time. To promote well-being under the Digital Skills for Life framework, the Infocomm Media Development Authority's SG Digital Office conducts targeted lessons teaching seniors how to monitor screen time and set daily limits. Additionally, the Infocomm Media Development Authority provides resources to help seniors reduce device use through its Digital for Life portal.
Transcript
51 Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information to prevent unbalanced screen use among seniors (a) whether data on the amount and nature of screen use among seniors have been collected, including average daily screen time; and (b) if so, what does the data show for different age groups.
52 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Government collects data on the amount and nature of screen use among seniors, including average daily screen time and types of online activities; (b) if so, what are the findings across different age groups among seniors; and (c) if not, whether the Government intends to collect such data.
Mrs Josephine Teo: My response will cover the questions raised by Ms Lee Hui Ying and Mr Melvin Yong in today's Order Paper relating to whether the Government collects data on screen use among seniors.
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information collects survey data on seniors' use of digital devices for leisure. Among seniors aged 60 and above, 49% reported spending an average of one to two hours daily on leisure activities on their devices. A further 38% of seniors reported spending three to five hours daily. There were no notable differences in device use patterns between seniors of different ages.
Around 79% of seniors felt that they spent the right amount of time on their devices. Slightly less than half, around 45%, felt that device use had negatively impacted their well-being. Among these seniors who reported negative impacts, 75% found effective ways to manage their device use, with spending time on other activities and taking regular breaks from device use being the most commonly cited methods.
We recognise the importance of maintaining overall well-being as we equip seniors with digital skills for daily living through the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA's) Digital Skills for Life framework. IMDA's SG Digital Office conducts lessons targeted at seniors on screen time management, including how to track their online usage and how to set daily screen time limits. IMDA's Digital for Life portal also provides resources on reducing device use.