The National Family Council announced on Friday a name change to Families for Life and new plans to engage families through online platforms.

The council, which also unveiled a new logo, is stepping up its outreach efforts on social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. It hopes to have more "two-way conversations" on family, with more Singaporeans sharing their experiences and advice on family matters.

Over the Chinese New Year, for instance, it released a video about family reunion dinners. It then organised a contest on Facebook for people to write their thoughts about reunion dinners.

Council chairman Ching Wei Hong said: "Apart from large-scale family-centred events, we want to boost touch points to enhance family life through a '365-day approach', to encourage families to spend time more regularly beyond festive or special occasions."

Other upcoming social media plans include online chats with experts in family matters.

Mr Brian Liu, one of the 10 members of the council, is looking forward to engaging Singaporeans online about family issues.

He said: "We must encourage Singaporeans to talk about family issues...It is only through such dialogue that we can identify issues that families face and then we can work on solutions together."

Mr Ching agreed, saying the changes are timely as 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.

He said the name change and logo - in the shape of a speech bubble to suggest openness and friendliness - reflect the new approach. "Everyone is part of a family, and your family members are for life."

For more information on other activities organised by the council, go to www.familiesforlife.sg.