What specific platform features does Singapore want social media to change?

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Singapore Recommends Targeting Specific Social Media Platform Features to Enhance Youth Safety

Singapore has advised social media platforms to modify features identified as potentially encouraging unhealthy usage patterns among young users. The recommendation stems from a government-appointed panel's study on the impact of social media on youth mental health. This approach prioritises addressing the design elements of platforms rather than implementing broad age-based restrictions.
Features Encouraging Unhealthy Use

The panel specifically highlighted features such as endless scrolling, autoplay content, algorithm-driven feeds, visible "like" counts, and anonymous accounts as elements that may contribute to problematic social media engagement. These functionalities are considered to be particularly influential in shaping user behaviour and could inadvertently foster excessive or compulsive online activity.
Potential Risks to Young Users

These identified platform features carry the risk of exposing young users to a range of negative experiences. The panel warned that such elements could increase vulnerability to cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, heightened social comparison, and the development of compulsive online behaviours. These risks are considered serious enough to warrant targeted intervention.
Evidence of Association and Need for Action

While definitive causal links between problematic social media use and adverse mental health outcomes have not yet been conclusively established, the evidence of association is deemed clear and sufficient to warrant action. The panel noted that one in three Singapore youths aged 15 to 17 spend more than three hours daily on social media, and one in six individuals aged 10 to 24 exhibit signs of problematic social media use. Problematic use, characterised by persistent, compulsive, or addiction-like behaviour, is more strongly linked to poorer mental health outcomes than excessive use alone.

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What specific platform features does Singapore want social media to change?

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