PARENTAL CONSENT FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Communications and Information Technology whether he will consider introducing regulations to require parental consent before teenagers are allowed to subscribe to telecommunication services such as those for handphones and pagers.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: As Members are aware, we have liberalised the paging and mobile telephone services markets for the benefit of consumers. The liberalisation means that the service providers are free to make commercial decisions such as how to market to and service the different market niches. These service providers are aware that there are legal safeguards to protect minors who enter into commercial contracts, and that signing on minors without parental consent may render such contracts voidable in law. The service providers must therefore be prepared to bear this business risk if they decide to enter into contracts with minors.