KK WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL INPATIENT CHILDREN'S SCREEN TIME GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES TO ALIGN WITH HPB'S NATIONAL SCREEN TIME STANDARDS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 985

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 07 JULY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Cai Yinzhou

MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh

Question No. 1665

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) how does KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital monitor and ensure that guidelines on digital device use by inpatient children are aligned with the Health Promotion Board's national screen time recommendations; (b) what alternative engagement activities are available to reduce reliance on screen-based entertainment; and (c) whether dedicated educators or equivalent support staff are deployed to engage children during their inpatient stay.

Answer

1         In line with the Health Promotion Board's guidance on limiting unsupervised screen use, KKH discourages children from keeping digital devices at their bedside unless supervised by a caregiver.

2         To reduce reliance on screens, nurses and volunteers engage children in activities such as board games, and interactive art and music sessions, where available. Children with specific emotional needs may be referred for further interventions, where therapists will use play, recreation, art, and music to help them cope with the hospital stay.