TOUCH Community Services (“TOUCH” or “触爱社会服务”), today, launched the First Device Campaign (FDC) Singapore (“首机启航我们行”), with NTUC First Campus (职总优儿学府) as its Campaign and Community Partner.

Helmed by TOUCH Cyber Wellness (“TCW” or “触爱网络健全服务”) and supported by Google, Singapore, the event was graced by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information, and Second Minister for Home Affairs; and attended by some 90 parent-child pairs from TOUCH Child Care, NTUC First Campus and members of the public. The campaign is in support of the Digital for Life Movement, which mobilises partners from the private, people and public sectors to help Singaporeans embrace digital for enriching their lives and develop a lifelong learning passion for digital skills.

In partnership with the FDC, a global campaign, TCW has adapted and developed local FDC content for Singapore. The resources will equip parents with the knowledge and practical handles as they introduce digital devices to their child and guide them in navigating the digital space safely. These efforts will enable parents to play an active role in their child’s digital lives and nurture them to develop healthy online habits from the get-go, reducing the risk of them falling prey to online harms.

A survey by TOUCH in 2024 showed that more than 87% of parents who used the FDC toolkit found the parenting handles in it helpful in engaging their child in deeper discussions on the topics covered and providing suggestions on parent-child activities. Similarly, 100% of parents indicated that they feel equipped to support their child in the development of their social emotional skills and healthy online habits after using the toolkit. Many parents highlighted that participating in the programme has also helped them build good understanding of various topics surrounding technology use and equipped them to create a safe and positive digital environment for their child.  

Mr James Tan (陈錦耀), CEO of TOUCH, said “Parents play an important role in keeping our children safe online. As children navigate the cyberworld, parents need to be equipped with the know-how to manage their children’s device use and build a safe and positive digital environment at home. Through the programme, we hope to see parents take on a more active role in their children’s digital lives as they nurture them to develop healthy online habits and become responsible cyber users.”

Mr Ben King, Country Managing Director of Google Singapore, said “Just like the generations before, children are becoming more digitally savvy than their parents. It is why, according to our study, close to half of Singaporean parents find it difficult to start vital conversations around online safety with their children. This emphasises the value of initiatives by community partners such as the TOUCH First Device Campaign in ensuring parents have the right resources to guide their children to be confident online navigators. Together with our own Family Link app and the Be Internet Awesome programme, we encourage parents to use these tools to better manage their family’s digital journey, and adapt to their child’s changing needs as they grow older.”

To benefit more families, NTUC First Campus has adopted the FDC by incorporating its content at all its My First Skool centres and providing parents of its students with the FDC resources. This was done through an MOU signing with TOUCH at the launch event.

Ms Chan Su Yee (陈淑仪), CEO of NTUC First Campus, said “NTUC First Campus is excited to collaborate with TOUCH Cyber Wellness on the First Device Campaign. Navigating online spaces safely and purposefully is a key aspect of Digital Intelligence, one of three vital skills, alongside Relational Skills and Global Citizenship, that we are committed to developing in children so they thrive in the future. Together with TOUCH, we can empower more families to have safe and positive online experiences.”

To date, TOUCH has reached out to 3,000 families with the FDC resources. With the support of NTUC First Campus, the FDC resources will be shared with over 10,000 My First Skool families in the next two years.

Members of the public may also access the resources at no cost via the TOUCH website and the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) Digital for Life portal.

Read the speech by Chan Su Yee, CEO, NTUC First Campus at the launch of the First Device Campaign

Media Coverage

CNA (23 March 2024)

Straits Times Online (23 March 2024)

Straits Times Print (24 March 2024)

Lianhe Zaobao Online (23 March 2024)

Lianhe Zaobao Print (24 March)

8 world (23 March 2024)

Berita Mediacorp (23 March 2024)