Event Details
The SMU Centre for Digital Law (CDL) was pleased to host the launch of the Youth Digital Pulse Report together with YouthTechSG, bringing together youths, policymakers, researchers and industry representatives to explore how we can build safer digital spaces for young people. The event was graced by Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health, who delivered the opening address.
The report’s key findings and advocacy insights highlighted the broader governance challenge of youth online safety, underscoring that responsibility should not rest on young users alone. Platforms need to design safer environments, government needs to set and enforce clear standards, and youths need the skills to navigate digital spaces with confidence. As the report puts it, social media is a playground for older youths, and safety is a shared responsibility.
A key milestone of the launch was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between YouthTechSG and SMU CDL. The partnership formalises collaboration between both organisations to deepen youth engagement and advance dialogue on issues at the intersection of technology, law and policy.
The launch concluded with a panel discussion, From Insight to Action: Making Social Media Safer for Youths, which brought together perspectives from across the online safety ecosystem. Moderated by SMU CDL External Research Fellow Josh Lee Kok Thong, the panel featured SMU CDL Director Assoc Prof Jason Grant Allen, SMU CDL Affiliated Faculty Prof Lim Sun Sun, Angela Tan (Ministry of Digital Development and Information), and Zoe Toh (YouthTechSG).
The discussion explored the implications of the report findings, the role of young people in shaping online safety policy, and how policymakers, industry, researchers and youth organisations can work together to develop safeguards that are both effective and workable.
Through this collaboration, SMU CDL looks forward to supporting evidence-based conversations and research on youth online safety, digital governance, and the responsibilities of platforms, regulators and communities in shaping safer digital environments.
