Singapore’s digital transformation: near-universal internet access and smartphone adoption, but room for online safety improvement

A recent study conducted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority in Singapore has unveiled the country’s remarkable progress in digitization. Nearly all households in Singapore now have internet connectivity, and smartphone ownership among residents aged 18-59 has become almost ubiquitous.

To be more specific, it found that nearly 100% of households had internet connectivity in 2022, up from 91% five years earlier, and 98% of households with school-going children had access to computers. Smartphone ownership among adults under 60 was nearly universal, with a notable increase in smartphone usage among seniors, rising from 74% in 2017 to 89% in 2022.

However, the study also highlights the need for greater awareness about online safety and enhanced digital skills. Recommendations for further progress include partnering with the private sector to support children’s online safety, bolstering trust in digital platforms’ security, and generating excitement for new digital technologies and their potential.

Why does it matter?

Online safety has become a pressing concern in Singapore, evident in the recent Online Safety Act that was enacted in February, mandating the removal of harmful content upon regulatory direction. The commitment to tackle this problem has grown stronger with the introduction of the Online Safety Code, which came into effect on July 18, 2023, and is designed to protect Singaporean users, especially children, by requiring social media services to enhance online safety measures and combat various types of harmful content, including sexual, violent, and cyberbullying content.