Singapore to legislate age assurance, safer design for teen social media in 2027

· Tech · Singapore

Singapore plans to introduce legislation in 2027 covering age assurance and safer design of social media for teenagers, taking a tiered approach to access rather than an outright ban. The measure is intended to limit how teens use platforms while giving parents and regulators more control over what younger users see. Experts cited in the report say restrictions alone will not keep children safe online and that parents, schools and platforms need to do more. The debate mirrors a broader global push to regulate minors' access to social media, with Australia already moving on an under-16 ban now facing a High Court challenge. Singapore's tiered model, if adopted, would give teens graduated access rather than a blanket block, a different route from outright prohibition.

Why it matters：Governments worldwide are testing how far they can restrict minors' social media use, and Singapore's tiered approach could become a template for regulators weighing bans against graduated access.

Key points

  • Legislation is planned for 2027, covering age assurance and safer design for teen users.
  • Singapore prefers tiered access over an outright ban on social media for teenagers.
  • Experts say restrictions alone are insufficient to keep children safe online.

Sources (original reporting)

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