What Makes Singapore A Leading Digital Society

"Digital First. But not Digital Only".

The Singapore Government's all-encompassing strategy. Committing to keep essential services available non-digitally.

Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has published its inaugural Singapore Digital Society Report 2023. Read it here ...

The Report has highlighted three dimensions of a digital society:

• Digital access.

• Digital skills.

• Digital attitudes.

First the highlights. That make us all feel blessed. To be part of the Singapore success story.

• 99% households have internet connectivity. Let that sink in.

• 90% households have computer access. That's right.

• 97% residents own smartphones. A new high.

Other headline statistics:

• 84% agree digital technologies have made their lives easier.

• 66% agree Singapore's move towards a digital future will benefit every Singaporean.

• 65% are generally keen to try out new digital technologies.

• 55% know how to use devices/applications with emerging digital technologies.

• 64% prefer to transact with the Government digitally.

• 51% are willing to accept risks that come with technology.

• 96% are at least somewhat concerned about becoming scam victims.

• 52% are at least moderately confident about identifying scams. On messaging platforms.

• 3 in 4 parents have used at least one online child safety tool.

International benchmarking:

IMDA has defined digital skills with reference to frameworks like:

• UK National Standards for Essential Digital Skills.

• EU Digital Competence Framework.

Focus on inclusion:

Throughout the Report, we see IMDA:

• Going the extra mile to promote digital access and usage among seniors-only households. And lower-income households.

• Involving public and private sectors.

• Assigning parents an active role.

Notice the number of co-ordinated initiatives:

• NEU PC Program.

• National Digital Literacy Program.

• Digital for Life (DfL) National Movement.

• DigitalAccess@Home Scheme.

• Seniors Go Digital Program.

• Mobile Access for Seniors (MAS) Scheme.

• SG Digital Community Hubs.

• Digital Ambassador Project.

• ExperienceIT Initiative.

• Parents' Toolbox.

• Code of Practice for Online Safety.

• Be Safe, Be Smart and Be Kind Online.

• SMS Sender ID Registry.

• ScamShield Mobile App.

• SG Cyber Safe Seniors Program.

• Source, Understand, Research and Evaluate (SURE) Program.

Appreciate the number of institutions and bodies working synchronously. Towards a common goal:

• Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

• Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI).

• Ministry of Education (MoE).

• Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

• SG Digital Office (SDO).

• Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO).

• Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA).

• National Library Board (NLB).

• Media Literacy Council (MLC).

• Public Service Division-Service SG (PSD-ServiceSG).

The Report concludes with a perspective. That digitalisation is here to stay.

And with a conviction. That we need to galvanise our entire society for a digital future.

Until next time! :)