Light-touch Regulation
In regulating the Internet, MDA adopts a balanced and light-touch approach to ensure that minimum standards are set for the responsible use of the Internet while offering maximum flexibility for industry players to operate.
MDA also encourages industry self-regulation and public education efforts to complement its co-regulatory approach.
MDA’s Guidelines
MDA has established an Internet regulatory framework to promote and facilitate the growth of the Internet while at the same time safeguarding social values, and racial and religious harmony.
MDA's focus is with the provision of Internet content to the public, and one of its main concerns is the ease of access to pornography on the Internet, especially by the young.
MDA’s guidelines do not cover webpages operated by individuals and personal communications such as email and instant messaging.
Cyber Wellness
Cyber wellness refers to the positive well-being of Internet users and a healthy cyber culture for the Internet community. It involves an understanding of the risks of harmful online behavior, an awareness of how to protect oneself and others from such behavior, and recognition of the power of the Internet to affect oneself and the community at large.
The four core values underpinning the cyber wellness vision are:
· balanced lifestyle
· embracing the Net and inspiring others
· astuteness
· respect & responsibility
For more information on cyber wellness, please visit here.
Internet Filtering Features and Software
MDA has received feedback outlining the concerns of parents and schools about the dangers of the Internet, especially its impact on the young.
To address these concerns, the MDA has worked with the three Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Singapore to provide optional family access networks that parents can subscribe to for their children. All the ISPs launched their family access networks in 1998.
Meanwhile, stand-alone filtering software such as CyberPatrol and NetNanny are also available on the market.
With these services and such software, parents can be better equipped to help their childernaccess the Internet safely.