Press Room

The Penal Code, Films Act, Undesirable Publications Act and the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) collectively provide robust protection against the production, possession and dissemination of obscene or undesirable publications and materials. Penalties include fines and imprisonment.

Recognising that children are more vulnerable, there are laws to protect them specifically from sexual exploitation. Within the CYPA, it is an offence to commit or procure, abet the commission or procurement of any obscene or indecent act with a child or young person. There are also restrictions on children or young persons from taking part in public entertainment which are of an immoral nature.

In the Children and Young Person (Amendment) Bill which was first read in Parliament on Monday, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is proposing an increase in penalties of these offences.

Under the Penal Code, sexual grooming of a child is an offence. This extends protection to include situations where persons prey on minors, intending to commit sexual acts.

Apart from legislative protection, it is important to educate children and parents on the safe use of the Internet and social networking sites to prevent children from falling victim to persons who exploit them for child pornography and other sexual offences.

In this respect, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts co-chair the Inter-Ministry Cyber Wellness Steering Committee, which co-opts representatives from a range of government agencies. The committee coordinates government efforts and works with public and private organisations to develop and implement a national strategy for public education on cyber wellness.

This includes educating children on how to navigate the Internet safely and responsibly.