Social media is a minefield. Here's how we can make it safer

When was the last time you saw a nasty comment on Instagram, and what did you do about it? If you just swiped past because you weren't sure what to do, you're not alone.

- Lim Sun Sun

A 2023 study by SG Her Empowerment found that 38 per cent of young people (ages 16 to 35) didn't know how to use in-app reporting tools to deal with online harm.

Or maybe you knew you could report it but didn't bother, thinking it wouldn't make a difference. A 2022 survey by the Alliance for Action to tackle online harms against women and girls found that nearly half of respondents felt reporting wouldn't help (43.6 per cent) or simply didn't know how to do it (43.4 per cent).

These numbers show that social media platforms need to step up to support users who must increasingly navigate online risks and annoyances. A 2024 poll by Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information revealed that 66 per cent of residents had come across harmful content on the six designated social media services (DSMSs): Facebook, HardwareZone, YouTube, Instagram, X and TikTok. But only a quarter actually reported it.

With personal device use pushing ever younger and people spending more time online, there are growing concerns about how safe social media platforms are for young people. Short of imposing something like Australia's social media ban, which is fraught with operational challenges, what can a highly connected country like Singapore do to hold tech companies more responsible for online safety?

In fact, Singapore took a significant step forward in July 2023 when the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) issued a code of practice for social media platforms. This code requires DSMSs to address six types of harmful content, including violent and sexual material, cyber bullying, self-harm, and content that threatens public health or supports criminal activities.