Beyond Roblox: Why Singapore’s new app store rules offer some relief for parents

Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world – until children pick up their smartphones and enter different realities. Today, the smartphone in your child’s pocket is no longer just a tool for connection. It is a portal to a largely unregulated wild west, leaving parents and authorities around the world scrambling to mitigate evolving risks. 

Since April, Singapore has extended its approach beyond tackling the risks of key social media platforms, to holding gateways themselves responsible. Under IMDA’s Code of Practice for App Distribution Services, app stores including Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store and Microsoft Store will be required to integrate age assurance measures, to prevent children under 18 from downloading apps meant for adults and to restrict their access to potentially harmful content.