Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority launched the Digital Skills for Life (DSL) framework, which is a set of five baseline competencies to equip Singaporeans with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to navigate the digital space, carry out daily tasks and stay safe online. This framework is part of a Whole-of-Government effort to support Singaporeans of all ages in strengthening their digital literacy skills.

The five baseline competencies are:
1. Set up and use smart devices - Set up and operate the basic hardware and software of mobile devices
2. Explore information online - Search, view and retrieve information online
3. Communicate online - Connect with others online
4. Transact online - Carry out online transactions, including e-payment, with both government agencies and other goods and services providers
5. Be safe, smart and kind online - Safeguard against cyber threats; protect personal information; develop a positive online presence

DSL was newly launched in Jan 2024, but the pilot run that saw 16,000 learners attending DSL training sessions from Jul to Nov 2023 received very positive feedback, with 90% of learners surveyed indicating they were satisfied with the pilot DSL programme and resources. 96% of learners surveyed also indicated they will apply what they learnt after the lesson.

https://www.digitalforlife.gov.sg/Learn/Resources

• Singapore

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor

The DSL framework and its resources, although developed for Singapore, can be replicated for economies with an interest to develop the digital skills of its citizens. However, there is merit in localising the project as economies may not be similarly situated as Singapore, with the following key areas to be considered during localisation:
1. The digital skills levels of the citizens:
a. An understanding of digital literacy needs and gaps will help determine which are the skills that citizens may require assistance to equip themselves. The gaps can be articulated to content expert partners to complement government upskilling efforts and lend support to develop content and learner-centric resources.
2. Marketing & Publicity
a. Awareness of the skills framework, gaps and resources is key to encourage learners to equip themselves with skills. Marketing through social media, mass public events etc. would be necessary to gain traction. The resources may also be made accessible online and print at no cost to learners.
b. Economies may consider the channels in which learners get access to information daily, to concentrate publicity efforts and guide them to a skills portal or physical learning hub to learn digital skills.
3. Meeting the learning preferences of learners
a. The resources should be made accessible to learners and in a format that learners may prefer them to be in. That may mean bite-sized resources such as infographics or step-by-step videos, and be available in vernacular to reach all population segments.

To be sustainable, the DSL framework was developed with recognition that the digital space will evolve continuously with new services and applications. DSL was thus designed to:
• Be future ready: As one of the goals is for Singaporeans to be future ready, DSL programme teaches learners digital skills rather than how to use a specific service or app. This allows the individuals to reapply such skills for new or different services or apps, rather than having to relearn at every introduction of new services or user interface changes to old services.
• Be sustainable to:
(i) Encourage learning: DSL places the learners in the core of its design – support is provided based on learners’ needs e.g. by providing 1 to 1 training so that there are positive experiences with digital and support the lifelong learning passion for digital skills. The content and resources will be updated regularly to stay relevant to the population.
(ii) Resource management: The DSL is implemented in partnership with the Digital for Life movement so that we are better able to reach out to different learner groups and have support in developing the content and interesting modalities necessary to encourage learning. This reference framework also serves as a guide for partners in the industry and community to develop learner-centric resources for Singaporeans. IMDA welcomes partners who wish to develop new resources and content, and teach Singaporeans essential digital skills based on the DSL framework. IMDA will also work with stakeholders and partners to review and update the DSL framework regularly to ensure that it remains relevant.

Singapore had made good progress to enhance access to digital connectivity and services. As one of the most digitally connected countries in the world, 99% of resident households have access to the Internet. However, digital access from connectivity and digital devices cannot bring about benefits if Singaporeans do not have the skills to use digital services. The DSL framework thus sought to equip Singaporeans with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to navigate the digital space confidently, carry out daily tasks and stay safe online. Through DSL, IMDA aims to promote the WSIS values of equality and solidarity. Technology is playing an increasingly central role in our daily lives, from communicating with loved ones, obtaining information and doing daily tasks such as paying for goods online. Being able to navigate the ever-evolving digital space confidently means being enabled to enjoy a better quality of life through technology. This is especially so considering the rapid digitalisation efforts globally which can widen the digital divide. It is thus important to ensure that everyone is able to equip themselves with the digital skills and are not left out. On top of defining the skills required to benefit from digitalisation, IMDA reaches out to partners from corporates, community organisations and individuals to reference DSL when providing digital literacy classes to teach Singaporeans essential digital skills. Partners are empowered to reach out to vulnerable segments of the population to teach digital literacy skills using the free DSL resources available online so that Singapore can be a digitally inclusive society. DSL also includes a segment encouraging Singaporeans to ‘Be kind’ online so we may foster a kind and cohesive digital society. The vision of an inclusive digital society that Singapore involves building a kinder online space for all, akin to how Singaporeans are in the physical space. The spirit of solidarity and respect should persist, even when in the online domain.