Singapore Government Press Release
SPEECH BY MR LEE YOCK SUAN, MINISTER FOR INFORMATION AND THE ARTS, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF SAFE SURFING 2001 AT SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE (SICEC) AUDITORIUM ON THURSDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2001, 2.30PM
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
I commend the organisers, the Parents Advisory Group for the Internet (PAGi) and the National Internet Advisory Committee (NIAC) for organising this international convention on safe surfing. It has attracted many key players to address the problem of child-safety on the Internet. A warm welcome to the international participants who have come to Singapore for this event.
The Internet offers users instantaneous access to worldwide sources of information and is a tremendous force for global development. Growing at an astounding rate, the Internet reaches into many millions of homes including some of the most remote areas of the world. Its impact transcends national boundaries. This calls for international cooperation in harnessing its power and managing its negative aspects. Issues of child safety, universal access, crime, and protection of privacy and intellectual property on the Internet have grown into global concerns. The international representation here today attests to this.
This Convention’s focus on child-safety is timely as a large and increasing number of children are going online. An estimated 77 million users aged 17 years and below are expected to go online by 2005 (Source: NUA Internet Surveys, www.nua.ie/surveys, Computer Economics, Apr 23, 1999). Child safety on the Internet is everyone’s concern. While perceptions about the types of materials which are suitable for children may vary across national boundaries and cultures, the desire to protect children from harm is universal. Regulators, industry, and the community, especially parents, have to take appropriate action to protect the most vulnerable users of the Internet.
In Singapore, we have practically cabled up the entire island to provide high-speed broadband access to all those who want it. Today, 2.3 million (Source: IDA and ISP Internet figures as at 31 Dec 2000), or 3 in 5 Singaporeans have access to the Internet via homes, offices, schools, libraries, and other community facilities. 25% of these users are 16 years and below (Source: AC Nielsen/NetRatings Audience Profile as at Oct 2000). Many children are unable to discriminate or choose between the good and the bad that may appear on their computer screens. They are easy targets for misinformation, scams, and online predators. With the growing number of children going online each year, we are understandably concerned about the impact of the Internet on future generations.
To promote the healthy growth and widespread use of the Internet, the Government has taken a light-touch approach which sets minimum standards and promotes self-regulation. The National Internet Advisory Committee, which comprises representatives from government, industry, and academia has actively promoted industry self-regulation, particularly in the development of an Industry Code of Practice and in encouraging content labeling. The three major Internet Service Providers in Singapore also offer network-level filtering services called Family Access Networks. These networks filter out a large number of pornographic sites and provide an optional, hassle-free network level solution to parents who are unfamiliar with the use of stand-alone filtering devices.
The community is also taking greater responsibility for use of the medium. The Parents Advisory Group for the Internet, PAGi is a dedicated group of some 300 committed parents who are working to promote awareness of online safety among their peers. I applaud the group, which I understand has reached out to some 10,000 parents through its training programmes and awareness activities in the past year. The PAGi website, which hosts an active online discussion forum, has also proven popular with parents, attracting 9,000 hits per month. However, much remains to be done.
In a recent survey by PAGi (Source: Topline Findings of PAGi Survey on Internet Usage), Singaporean parents are concerned about their children’s use of the Internet. 77% of parents surveyed were most concerned about their children accessing undesirable materials on the Internet, while 68% were afraid that their children would reveal personal information online. Parents were also concerned about Internet addiction.
Such concerns are common to parents in other countries. In its 2000 study on the Internet and the Family, The Annenberg Public Policy Centre found that 72% of parents in the United States (Source: The Annenberg Public Policy Center , The Internet and The Family 2000 Report) were concerned that their children might view sexually explicit images on the Internet. A further 74% feared that their children would give out personal information about themselves. It was alarming to note that the children surveyed in the study thought it was all right to reveal personal information when offered a free gift.
In the study conducted by PAGi, Singapore parents were quizzed on the best course of action to take if their children accessed pornographic sites. Parents listed the following in order of preference - discussing the material accessed with their children, checking how the child arrived at the site, moving the computer to the living room, and installing filters. Significantly, 20% of the parents indicated that it would be a very good idea to stop their children from using the computer for a week.
The considerable parental concern on what their children see and the desire to pull the plug on Internet use should alert the industry to take greater responsibility in offering access that suits the needs of young users. There is also a ready-market for tools and services to help parents manage their children’s use of the Internet. It would be in industry’s interest to respond to this need.
I am pleased to note that the industry here is taking steps to do so. Starhub Internet is working with Symantec Limited to enhance its Family Access Network surfing plan – to add more features that will allow parents greater flexibility in managing their children’s online activities. I understand that SingNet and Pacific Internet, our two other major ISPs, are also looking into the area. This is a step in the right direction. Industry should endeavour to provide the new service at a competitive price as an incentive for more parents to subscribe.
Online safety has thus far focussed on the bad aspects of the Internet. It is time we focus on the good. Beyond the efforts to keep children away from undesirable online content and influences, we should provide them with alternative positive content that enables them to benefit from the potential of the Internet. Industry is once again well-placed to address this need with child-friendly online content and services.
I call on industry and the community to explore new ways to make the online environment safer for children. To encourage fresh approaches, the Singapore Broadcasting Authority has created a S$5 million Internet Public Education Fund. Industry and community groups can draw on the Fund to develop access management tools, create appealing and safe content for children, and embark on more public education initiatives.
Countries stand to gain from collectively addressing the complex issues that the Internet generates by leveraging on our common experiences. I would like to highlight that both the NIAC and PAGi have benefited from their links with like-minded organisations in other countries. PAGi has collaborated with CyberAngels in the United States and Childnet International in the United Kingdom in conducting online safety training and awareness programmes for parents in Singapore. These organisations have underscored the need for international cooperation in ensuring child-safety online. PAGi and the NIAC also participate in the notable efforts of the Internet Content Rating Association and the Bertelsmann Foundation to promote online safety. Singapore will continue to actively take part in multi-national initiatives. We are happy to learn from the success of online safety efforts in other countries and to share our experiences.
Finally may I wish all of you an enjoyable and enlightening convention. I hope it will make a significant contribution to international cooperation to promote the safe use of the Internet.
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