MDDI's Response to PQ on Monitoring Uptake and Youth-Safety Risks of Emerging Social Apps

Parliament Sitting on 10 September 2026

Question for Oral Answer

*11. Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) how does IMDA monitors the Singapore uptake and youth-safety risks of emerging social apps such as Setlog and BeReal, including features like time-sensitive prompts, camera-first design and closed-group sharing; and (b) what criteria or indicators determines when such services have significant reach or impact and should be designated under the Codes of Practice for Online Safety.

Answer

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) closely monitors developments in the online landscape and tracks emerging safety risks for young users, including those highlighted by the Member. To do so, IMDA draws on a range of sources, including public feedback, industry engagements, market data and developments in other jurisdictions.

Like many commercial digital products, apps and social media services come and go. We therefore focus our regulatory efforts on types of online communication services that have become widely used in Singapore and where safety risks have been clearly flagged. These include social media services and app stores.

Under the Broadcasting Act, IMDA may direct a social media service or app store to disable Singapore users' access to egregious content, such as content that advocates or instructs on suicide or self-harm. A social media service with significant reach or impact in Singapore may also be required to comply with the Code of Practice for Online Safety - Social Media Services. IMDA considers various factors as laid out in the Broadcasting Act, including the extent and nature of the effect that the service has on people and communities in Singapore.