Requiring Online Platforms Accessible by Minors to Provide Age-calibrated Safeguards for Monetised Interactions

Mr Victor Lye asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information whether the Government will consider requiring online platforms which are accessible to minors to provide age-calibrated safeguards for monetised interactions, including parental controls, spending limits, cooling-off mechanisms and prominent disclosure of cumulative spending.

Mrs Josephine Teo: The Government recognises that monetised online interactions can expose children to risks, including unintended or excessive spending. There are safeguards present today, such as parental and payment controls, within apps or platforms. Certain monetised features are also subject to regulated requirements. For example, loot boxes purchased in online games cannot contain money as regulated under the Class Licence for Remote Games of Chance of the Gambling Control Act.

The Government will continue to assess the risks from monetised online interactions as part of our broader efforts to strengthen online safety. We will consider these risks holistically alongside other online harms in determining whether further safeguards are needed.