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Dear Editor,
I refer to the report, “Government proposes disabling social media access to harmful content, as part of new codes of practices on online safety“. (TODAY, June 20)
As the internet has made pornography easily available and accessible, it is almost impossible to shirk it.
Most researchers say that it is a high tendency that people who surf pornographic websites will get addicted to them and that eventually lead to mental health distress, depression, anger, and anxiety. Hence, if we get hooked on viewing pornography, it will gradually defile our minds and negatively affect our lives in the long run.
The police report revealed that there were 9,200 reports of sexual assault, including rape, sexual assault by penetration, outrage of modesty, and sexual offences involving children and vulnerable victims between 2017 and 2020. Of these, 869 were allegedly committed by family members or relatives.
This continuously growing number of sexual crimes will be one of the worrisome concerns and need special attention from the relevant authorities.
Simultaneously, any individual or any religious group who wilfully instigates religious enmity or hatred online should be strictly curbed and prohibited as these wilful acts or vile deeds will undoubtedly incite social strife, suspicions, and conflicts in our multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural society.
Any person or organisation that advertises, promotes or advocates false and harmful health products and services on any website should be seriously prohibited.
Thus, it is the right time and significant for the Government to collaborate with various social media (such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Reddit, etc) and internet service providers (e.g., Google Fiber, SingTel, StarHub, M1, MyRepublic, ViewQuest, etc) to disable or deny access to harmful contents relating to sexual harms, self-harm, public health, public security, and racial or religious disharmony or intolerance.
This right move from the Government will further deter toxic online webs to enhance online safety measures and new codes of practices for cybersecurity.
Teo Kueh Liang
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of The Independent Singapore.