Tips to help limit your child’s exposure to inappropriate content online

In its inaugural October 2026 report, the Infocomm Media Development Authority highlighted that online safety is a shared responsibility between families and app platforms.

ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

Published Oct 24, 2026, 03:30 PM

Updated Oct 24, 2026, 03:30 PM

SINGAPORE - A local audit of online app stores has found 65 objectionable apps that included themes of murder or gambling, or incorporated tools that generate non-consensual, sexually explicit images.

Another 24 apps containing sexually suggestive content, or featured crime and drug use, were not labelled with the appropriate age rating, according to the audit by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). The results of the audit were released on Oct 24.

The 65 apps have been removed, and the 24 wrongly labelled ones corrected. Other than these app s, the IMDA said its audit had found that app stores have baseline safety measures in place, with well-implemented age checks.

Still, despite safeguards to help protect children under 18, parents and youth can also safely manage their device use, with practical digital habits. The Straits Times highlights some of them.

It is important to understand your child’s digital experience and stay involved.

Review all apps before exploring them together with your child, and have open conversations about their online experiences.

Use parental controls available on apps and help your child set up age-appropriate accounts.

Stay informed of the apps that your child uses, and report and remove inappropriate apps that threaten your child’s online safety.

Take the necessary steps when accessing apps and prioritise your online safety.

Check details and reviews before downloading an app , and always discuss them with your parents.

Turn on privacy and safety settings, and keep your device and apps updated regularly to maintain online security.

If you come across inappropriate apps, report and remove them immediately, and seek help from trusted adults.

Elisha Tushara is a correspondent at The Straits Times, specialising in Singapore’s education landscape.

新加坡资讯通信媒体发展局在其 2026 年 10 月的首份报告中强调，网络安全是家庭和应用程序平台共同的责任。

圣路易斯照片：ASHLEIGH SIM

发布于2026年10月24日下午3:30

更新于2026年10月24日下午3:30

新加坡——一项针对本地在线应用商店的审计发现，有 65 款令人反感的应用包含谋杀或赌博主题，或包含生成未经同意的露骨性图像的工具。

新加坡资讯通信媒体发展局（IMDA）的审计发现，另有24款包含性暗示内容或涉及犯罪和毒品使用的应用程序未标明相应的年龄分级。审计结果于10月24日公布。

65款应用已被下架，24款标签错误的应用也已更正。除这些应用外，新加坡资讯通信媒体发展局（IMDA）表示，其审计发现应用商店已具备基本的安全措施，并有效实施了年龄验证。

尽管有各种保障措施来保护18岁以下的儿童，但家长和青少年仍然可以通过养成良好的数字习惯来安全地管理他们的设备使用。《海峡时报》重点介绍了其中的一些习惯。

了解孩子的数字化体验并积极参与其中非常重要。

在与孩子一起探索所有应用程序之前，请先查看所有应用程序，并与他们就上网体验进行开诚布公的对话。

使用应用程序提供的家长控制功能，帮助您的孩子创建适合其年龄的帐户。

随时了解孩子使用的应用程序，举报并删除威胁孩子网络安全的不适宜应用程序。

使用应用程序时请采取必要措施，并将网络安全放在首位。

下载应用前请查看详情和评价，并务必与父母讨论。

开启隐私和安全设置，并定期更新您的设备及应用程序，以维护网络安全。

如果遇到不合适的应用程序，请立即举报并将其删除，并向可信赖的成年人寻求帮助。

Elisha Tushara 是《海峡时报》的记者，专门报道新加坡的教育领域。