Singapore PM Launches Initiative to Combat Children's Gadget Addiction, Key Advice for Parents

Singapore’s government has launched a national initiative to help families establish healthy digital habits for children by reducing screen time from an early age. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launched the ‘Screen Smart From The Start’ campaign on Sunday, 1 June 2026, aimed at assisting parents in managing their children’s digital activities. The launch was announced via an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore.

Wong stated that the government will provide various resources to help parents instil healthy digital habits from a young age. As part of the programme, parents can access the ‘Be Screen Smart’ portal, which offers guidelines and tips for digital device usage among children and teenagers. The guidelines are categorised into three age groups: 0-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13-18 years.

Through the portal, parents can learn how to select appropriate content for their children, protect them from unsuitable online material, and establish family rules regarding digital device usage.

According to Wong, today’s challenges for parents are far more complex than in the past when concerns were limited to comics, television, or video games. He noted that modern digital technology is more addictive due to features designed to encourage prolonged use and expose users to potentially harmful online content and interactions.

Wong also advised families to adopt simple habits such as avoiding phone use during meals and refraining from using phones in bedrooms. These steps are crucial as parents find it difficult to monitor device usage late into the night.

Additionally, he urged parents to delay giving smartphones to children for as long as possible. The portal will also feature a list of accessible offline activities for families with children of various ages, particularly during the upcoming June school holidays.