NCSS to spend $5.6 million to get more agencies to help gaming, porn and gambling addicts
Singapore's NCSS is allocating $5.6 million over three years to expand addiction support services for gaming, porn, and gambling addictions.Summary
The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in Singapore is investing $5.6 million over three years to fund the Addiction Support Programme for Inclusion, Recovery and Empowerment (ASPIRE), expanding support for behavioral addictions. In 2024, NCSS-affiliated agencies reported over 780 new cases, a 50% increase from 2020. ASPIRE will fund 10 social service agencies (SSAs), including Care Corner Counselling Centre and PPIS Family Service Centre, to provide early intervention and addiction counseling. NCSS has partnered with We Care Community Services to train counselors and establish a Community of Practice for knowledge sharing. We Care noted an 80% rise in porn addiction cases (nearly 200 in 2025) and a doubling of gambling addiction cases (90 in 2025). Most affected individuals are males aged 18–35, with cases linked to online accessibility and anonymity. Touch Community Services reported gaming and social media addiction cases among youths aged 10–25, including a 12-year-old who spent $10,000 monthly on games. Early intervention is critical to prevent long-term brain changes, with therapy addressing underlying issues like anxiety and trauma.
(Source：Google News)