Children in Singapore spend more than two hours daily on screens by age three. Can MOH’s updated guidelines reverse this trend?
It’s a familiar sight a toddler, entranced by the bright colours and animated characters on a tablet, while a harried parent sips their coffee, momentarily free from the demands of a wriggling child. In Singapore, where screens are increasingly pervasive, this scenario is not uncommon.
Children are spending more time than ever in front of screens, with many engaging in daily passive screen viewing by the age of two. This raises a critical question: can the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) updated national screen use guidelines for children reverse this trend?
Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated its national screen use guidelines for children.
First introduced in 2023, the document aims to help parents navigate the fine line between the potential benefits of screen time and its documented harms.
Age Group | Screen Use Recommendations | Key Guidelines and Tips |
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0–18 months | No screen use except for video chatting with family or caregivers. |
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18 months–2 years | Limited screen use only with a caregiver present and only for educational content. |
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2–5 years | Limit non-educational screen time to 1 hour per day. |
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6–12 years | Limit recreational screen time to 2 hours per day. |
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The 2025 update comes at a time when children in Singapore, like their peers globally, are spending increasing hours on screens.
By the age of two, nearly 90% of children in Singapore engage in daily passive screen viewing, with usage rising during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developed with input from experts in healthcare, education, and social sectors, the advisory offers more actionable steps for parents than its predecessor.
Watch now: Keeping Your Child Healthy and Happy | Dr Zhang Huipei, Dr Lee Joon Loong
What Parents Are Saying About the New Screen Rules
While some parents view the guidelines as a necessary intervention in an increasingly digital world, others question whether they truly reflect the complexities of parenting today.
The conversations highlight a recurring theme: the gap between idealistic guidelines and the realities of modern family life.
One Reddit user, u/Bike_Hunt, described their experience raising a four-year-old without screens, highlighting the long-term benefits:
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Other parents acknowledged the challenges, particularly in high-stress scenarios. u/IAm_Moana reflected on their shift in perspective:
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The broader issue of adult behaviour influencing children’s screen habits also emerged in the discussion. u/Twrd4321 noted:
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Similarly, u/ZeroPauper criticised the example set by parents at home:
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These comments expose a larger tension: parents understand the risks of excessive screen use, but many struggle to balance these concerns with daily pressures.
The guidelines represent progress, but solutions to work demands, childcare needs, and screen reliance are needed for success.
How Singapore’s Screen Policies Stack Up Globally
Countries worldwide are grappling with the challenges of children’s screen use, with policies ranging from strict enforcement to flexible guidance.
China has implemented some of the world’s strictest screen regulations.

In the United Kingdom, children as young as three are active online. A 2023 report revealed that 87% of 3–4-year-olds and almost all children 3-17 year-olds have been online at least once.

Despite these high numbers, the UK relies on NHS guidelines to provide recommendations for screen use, without enforceable rules to regulate children’s digital habits.
Australia has focused on schools and public health campaigns. Guidelines recommend limiting screen time for preschool-aged children (3–5 years) to no more than 1 hour per day.
@bbcnews Australia will ban under-16s from using social media, after its Senate approved the world’s strictest laws. #SocialMedia #Instagram #X #Meta #Facebook #Snapchat #Australia #Ban #SocialMediaBan #News #BreakingNews #BBCNews ♬ original sound – BBC News
The 2024 social media ban for under-16s further emphasises the need to protect young users and encourage healthier digital habits.
On the other side of the globe, France discourages passive screen use and prolonged screen time for children aged 2–12 without active adult involvement. Mobile phone bans introduced in 2010 and expanded in 2018 prohibit devices even during school breaks and trips.
Bridging the Gap Between Guidelines and Reality
The updated screen use guidelines for children follow in the footsteps of landmark initiatives which demonstrate how well-designed policies can influence population behaviour.
The progressive increase in the Minimum Legal Age (MLA) for smoking, raised from 18 to 21 years between 2019 and 2021, aimed to restrict youth access to tobacco products and reduce smoking rates among young people.

Data from the National Population Health Survey shows smoking prevalence among adults aged 18–29 dropped from 9.8% in 2017 to 8.8% in 2020, a clear sign of the policy’s impact.
Similarly, the Nutri-Grade labelling system, introduced in December 2022, offers another example of a targeted, data-driven approach to public health.
The system requires pre-packaged beverages to display a label grading their sugar and saturated fat content.

A trial by Duke-NUS Medical School revealed that Nutri-Grade labels effectively influenced consumer behaviour, with participants choosing drinks containing 1.5g less sugar per serving.
The study also found that Nutri-Grade labels increased the purchase of beverages rated ‘A’ or ‘B’.
This evidence led to the extension of Nutri-Grade to freshly prepared beverages in 2023, with plans to include other products like sauces and oils.
The Challenge of Reducing Screen Time
The updated screen use guidelines from MOH offer a clear effort to address the rising influence of screens on children.
Despite this, the guidelines might face significant obstacles in application. Parents tend to cite the difficulty of balancing work, childcare, and device use, especially in households where screens serve as a practical tool to manage daily responsibilities.
Tools like customised media plans, parent-focused workshops, and school-based initiatives remain essential to make these guidelines realistic and actionable.
Collaboration across various sectors will ensure these recommendations achieve their intended impact. Schools play a role in reinforcing screen-free habits, while workplaces can implement family-supportive policies to allow parents more time to engage with their children.
The guidelines mark an important step forward, but success depends on Singapore’s ability to remove structural barriers and provide families with the resources they need to incorporate these changes.