IMDA's Code of Practice for Online Safety: How you can build a safer digital environment

In today's digital age, online services have a responsibility to protect you and your child online. The Code of Practice for Online Safety, introduced by IMDA in July 2023, requires designated social media services to curb the spread of harmful content, especially among younger users. Read on to find out more about the Code of Practice for Online Safety and how it can make the online space safer for everyone.

What is the Code of Practice for Online Safety?

Singapore's Code of Practice for Online Safety (Social Media Services) aims to enhance online safety for Singapore users, particularly children. It requires six designated social media services (Facebook, HardwareZone, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube) to curb the spread of harmful and inappropriate content on their services, forge a safer online ecosystem, and protect vulnerable users such as children.

Curbing harmful and inappropriate content online

The categories of harmful content under the Code of Practice for Online Safety include sexual content, violent content, suicide and self-harm content, cyberbullying content, content endangering public health, and content facilitating vice and organised crime.

Responsibilities of the designated services and what it means for you

Code of Practice for Online Safety

Enhance User Safety

Designated services will now be required to establish rules, employ content moderation, and provide you with safety tools. These measures are geared towards reducing users’ exposure to harmful content, especially to keep children safe online. You will now have greater control of your own safety with stronger protections and safety features.

Empower Users

Reporting tools on designated services will be required to be accessible and easy to use to enable you to quickly report inappropriate content. Services are also required to act swiftly on these reports.

Ensure Accountability

Designated services must share annual online safety reports, so you can see what services are doing to keep you safe and make informed choices. The first reports are due in the second half of 2024 and will be available on IMDA’s website.

How can you improve online safety?

To contribute to a safer online environment, find out more about how to Be Safe, Smart and Kind Online and familiarise yourself with the types of harmful and inappropriate content you can report to social media services. For further information on the reporting process, please click on the provided links below.

Useful links

Code of Practice for Online Safety

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