Singapore Launches Incentive Program to Combat Doomscrolling Through Daily Reading
Singapore has introduced a program offering financial incentives to encourage citizens to read for at least 15 minutes daily, aiming to counter the growing issue of doomscrolling. The initiative, launched this month, rewards participants with virtual coins redeemable for small cash payments, with the goal of improving critical thinking and imagination.
Singapore's government has launched a novel initiative to combat the increasing prevalence of doomscrolling by offering financial incentives for daily reading. The program, which began this month, encourages citizens to spend at least 15 minutes reading each day, with rewards in the form of virtual coins that can be redeemed for small cash payments. Participants must log 50 daily reading sessions on a government website to earn S$1 (80 cents), with each 15-minute session earning 20 virtual coins. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to foster sustainable reading habits and improve cognitive skills in a society saturated with digital content.
Melissa Tam, chief of the national library board, emphasized that the program is designed to build habits through small, achievable steps. She highlighted the challenges of modern life, where individuals are constantly exposed to an overwhelming amount of information and stimulation. "We live in a world of extraordinary abundance, of content, information and stimulation," she said. "At any moment, we can scroll through hundreds of headlines, watch a video or get a summary of almost anything."
The government is also exploring ways to reduce the harmful effects of social media on young people, including implementing daily time limits. A recent study found that doomscrolling and digital addiction have had the most significant impact on youth. This initiative follows previous government efforts to influence behavior through financial incentives, such as supermarket vouchers for walking and prizes for meeting step targets.
Despite these concerns, Singapore's 15-year-old students achieved top global rankings in reading in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), surpassing China and Taiwan. The program aims to maintain and enhance these achievements while addressing the challenges posed by digital overstimulation.