COMPUTER ADDICTION

COMPUTER ADDICTION

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(Action plan on prevention): **

28.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) if his Ministry can provide findings on the negative aspects of computer addiction especially amongst the youths; and (b) whether there is an action plan to proactively address this issue.

RAdm [NS] Lui Tuck Yew: There is currently no universal definition of what constitutes computer addiction. There is anecdotal evidence that excessive time spent on the computer has negative impact on one’s physical and psychological well-being and retards one’s social development. Internationally, there are reports of acts of aggression by youths and even deaths due to excessive online gaming. Several studies have also reported excessive Internet use could lead to compulsive behaviours.

In Singapore, excessive gaming and Internet use among youths is something we need to watch carefully. Between April 2007 and December 2008, the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) had seen nine youths (below age 21) who have a primary problem associated with computer addiction.

The Government is aware of this issue, and has taken steps to address it. For instance, MDA has worked closely with the Internet and Media Advisory Committee (INMAC)(3) to support events that promote cyber wellness(4). MDA has also commissioned a Public Service Programme entitled "Once Upon A Cyberspace"(5) to raise awareness among 10-14 year olds and their families on the importance of cyber wellness. There are also ongoing community efforts to address the issue. TOUCH Community Services runs the one-stop PlanetCRUSH Cyber Wellness Centre that counsels Internet addicts. They also run workshops for parents to help them understand and address issues on gaming and addiction.

In our schools, games addiction and Internet addiction are topics covered in primary and secondary levels respectively. MOE has produced two publications with stories on cyber wellness, which are distributed to every primary and secondary school student. Schools also organise assembly talks and involve parents in cyber wellness workshops and

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seminars. Teachers can also refer students with such problems to Full-Time School Counsellors for counselling.

The Government recognises that a comprehensive and coordinated approach is needed. That is why we had in January 2009 announced the setting up of an Inter-Ministry Cyber Wellness Steering Committee (ICSC). Co-chaired by the Deputy Secretaries of MICA and MOE, the ICSC will coordinate the Government’s efforts as well as work with the people-private sector organisations, to implement a national strategy for cyber wellness public education in Singapore. MICA and MOE will contribute a total of $10 million over five years to support the work of ICSC. Cyber addiction is one of the key issues that the ICSC will look into.

(3) INMAC comprises key stakeholders from the people, public and private sectors, including SPH, MediaCorp, StarHub and SingTel.

(4) These initiatives include "Parenting in the digital age, guiding your child to be media savvy and Internet safe", "Get Net Safe!" and “Licence 2 Play” to promote cyber wellness and healthy gaming.

(5) Started from 6th April 2009, this programme aired as six 1-minute interstitials on OKTO for six weeks.

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