Singapore Pays Citizens S$1 to Read 15 Minutes Daily in Anti-Doomscrolling Scheme
This month, Singapore introduced a reading incentive initiative aimed at encouraging citizens to read for a minimum of 15 minutes each day to address doomscrolling. Participants can record their reading sessions on a government platform, receiving 20 virtual coins for every 15-minute period, with 1,000 coins convertible to S$1 (80c). Only one session can be logged each day. Melissa Tam, the head of the national library board, highlighted the importance of fostering sustainable reading habits through incremental efforts. Additionally, the government is exploring strategies to mitigate social media risks for young people following a study that connected doomscrolling to serious harm. Notably, Singapore's 15-year-olds achieved the top reading score in the 2025 PISA, surpassing China and Taiwan.
Key facts
- Singapore launched a reading incentive scheme this month paying citizens to read at least 15 minutes daily.
- Participants must log 50 daily reading sessions on a government website to earn S$1 (80c).
- A session of 15 minutes or more earns 20 virtual coins, with 1,000 coins required for a dollar payment.
- Only one reading session is allowed per day.
- National library board chief Melissa Tam said habits are built through small, consistent actions.
- The government is considering a daily social media time limit for young Singaporeans after a study found doomscrolling and addiction harmed them most.
- Previous Singapore health initiatives offered supermarket vouchers for walking and prizes for daily step targets.
- Singapore's 15-year-olds topped the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reading rankings, beating China and Taiwan.
Entities
Artists
- Melissa Tam
Institutions
- national library board
- Straits Times
- Programme for International Student Assessment
- PISA
Locations
- Singapore
- China
- Taiwan