NDR 2026: Singapore to require robust age verification on social media and stronger AI safeguards

PM Wong announced at NDR 2026 on 23 August that social media platforms operating in Singapore will be required to implement robust age verification checks, moving beyond self-declaration, after data showed one in six young people aged 10 to 24 show signs of problematic social media use, with some spending six to seven hours daily on platforms. Platforms that fail to meet new safety standards for users under 13 risk having the minimum access age raised beyond 13. Minister for Digital Development Josephine Teo said specific requirements for platforms would be detailed in the coming days.