Singapore’s Most Pressing Online Harms: New IPS Study Reveals Public Priorities and Policy Gaps
Executive Summary
A year‑long research project commissioned by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) has mapped Singaporeans’ perceptions of 16 distinct online harms. The study, which combined legal and platform‑policy reviews, focus‑group discussions, in‑depth interviews, and a survey of 600 residents, found that non‑consensual sexual content, the promotion of self‑harm or disordered eating, and targeted harassment rank highest in perceived severity. It also highlighted a worrying “normalisation” of certain behaviours—particularly cyber‑bullying and catfishing—among respondents under 35, underscoring the need for stronger public‑education efforts and more robust regulatory tools.
1. Background
The rapid expansion of digital platforms has amplified both the benefits and the risks of online interaction. While Singapore has introduced a suite of laws and platform‑policy mandates to curb illegal content, policymakers have repeatedly asked: Which harms do citizens consider most dangerous, and are existing safeguards adequate?
Answering this question, the IPS study set out to:
- Gauge public perception of the seriousness of a wide range of online harms.
- Assess how well current legislation, platform rules, and public‑education campaigns address those harms.
- Identify demographic variations that could inform targeted interventions.
2. Methodology
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal & Policy Review | Systematic audit of Singapore’s cyber‑crime statutes, the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), the Personal Data Protection Act, and the content‑moderation policies of major platforms (e.g., Facebook, TikTok, Instagram). |
| Qualitative Work | Six focus‑group sessions (total 48 participants) and 30 in‑depth interviews with victims, caregivers, and frontline workers (social‑service providers, school counsellors). |
| Quantitative Survey | Structured questionnaire administered to 600 Singapore citizens and permanent residents, stratified by age, gender, and ethnicity. Participants evaluated 12 randomised sets of four harms each, marking the “most severe” and “least severe” in each set. |
| Timeline | Data collection spanned June 2024 – May 2025; analysis and reporting concluded in September 2025. |
3. Key Findings
3.1 Harms Rated as Most Severe
| Rank | Harm | Rationale (as reported by participants) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non‑consensual sexual recordings (revenge porn) | Universally deemed a form of domestic violence; victims reported lasting psychological trauma even after relationships ended. |
| 2 | Promotion of self‑harm, suicide, or eating‑disorder content | Highlighted as disproportionately affecting youths; focus‑group participants cited “pro‑cutting” and “pro‑anorexia” forums that normalize dangerous behaviour. |
| 3 | Targeted harassment (online stalking, doxing, impersonation) | Viewed as a gateway to offline intimidation and violence. |
3.2 Harms Seen as Moderately Severe
- Child sexual exploitation and extremist propaganda were also placed high on the severity scale, reflecting broad consensus on their gravity.
- Content that glorifies organised crime or vice (e.g., drug‑selling forums) received mixed ratings, with older respondents rating them more severe than younger cohorts.
3.3 Normalisation Among Younger Users
- Cyber‑bullying and catfishing (the creation of fake online personas to deceive others) were perceived as “normal” or “harmless” by 58 % of respondents aged 18‑34.
- Participants in the focus groups expressed concern that this acceptance could erode empathy and encourage escalations to more serious offences.
3.4 Demand for Stronger Legal and Platform Responses
- 79.3 % of surveyed Singaporeans said stricter laws that hold perpetrators accountable would be “very” or “extremely” helpful.
- 77.4 % supported legislation empowering authorities to order rapid takedown of illegal or harmful content.
- An identical proportion (77 %) urged social‑media platforms to accelerate the removal of offending posts and to suspend repeat‑offender accounts.
4. Policy Implications
4.1 Legislative Action
In response to mounting public pressure, Parliament introduced the Online Safety Bill on 15 October 2025. The bill proposes the creation of an Online Safety Commission with powers to:
- Issue injunctions for swift removal of non‑consensual intimate imagery, child‑abuse material, and doxing content.
- Impose civil penalties on platforms that fail to meet prescribed response times.
- Facilitate victim‑centred redress mechanisms, including compensation and counselling referrals.
4.2 Platform Accountability
The study recommends that platforms adopt a “Tier‑1 rapid‑response protocol” for the top three harms identified (revenge porn, self‑harm promotion, targeted harassment). This would entail:
- Immediate content flagging within 30 minutes of a verified report.
- Temporary suspension of accounts pending investigation.
- Mandatory notification to law‑enforcement where criminal activity is suspected.
4.3 Public‑Education Strategy
Dr Carol Soon, co‑principal investigator, stresses that “normalisation is a silent threat—it reshapes youth expectations about acceptable online conduct without them even realizing it.” To counteract this, the researchers propose a three‑pronged outreach plan:
- School‑based digital‑literacy modules focusing on consent, mental‑health safety, and the legal consequences of catfishing.
- Parent‑caregiver webinars that translate technical platform policies into actionable guidance.
- National media campaign—“Think Before You Click”—leveraging local influencers to demystify online harassment and promote by‑stander intervention.
5. Conclusions
The IPS study provides the most comprehensive snapshot to date of Singaporeans’ attitudes toward online harms. Its findings convey a clear hierarchy of public concern—revenge porn, self‑harm promotion, and targeted harassment sit at the apex—while also signalling an unsettling trend of complacency toward cyber‑bullying and catfishing among younger users.
A decisive policy response appears imminent: the Online Safety Bill, coupled with tighter platform obligations and a reinforced public‑education agenda, could align legal mechanisms with citizen expectations and mitigate the most damaging digital behaviours.
As Singapore continues to position itself as a “Smart Nation,” ensuring that its digital ecosystem is safe, respectful, and inclusive will be as critical as any technological innovation.
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