Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will implement strict time-based limits on the allowed use of screen time for learning purposes at early childhood development centres; and (b) if so, what is the proposed timeline for implementing these limits.
Answer
1 The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has outlined requirements on screen use in Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC) in the Code of Practice. There must not be any screen use for infants up to 18 months. For children aged 18 months to six years, screen time, if used, should be limited to teaching and learning purposes.
2 Instead of setting strict time-based limits, these requirements emphasise the purposeful use of screentime in ECDCs to complement children’s learning experiences. This allows educators the flexibility to adopt digital tools that provide opportunities for interactions, engagement and thinking, rather than merely to occupy or distract children.
3 Ultimately, it takes a whole of society effort to create supportive environments where our children can thrive and sustain healthy living habits. Through ECDA’s requirements, we hope to better support families in building a balanced relationship with technology and screens in children’s daily lives.