Statutes / Legal Acts

The Children and Young Persons Act (CAP. 38) covers children below the age of 14, young persons who are aged 14 and above but below 16. The definition of juveniles is also given as those who are 7 years or above and below the age of 16 years.

The Act is provided for the protection of children and young persons. Provisions are also available for the handling of juvenile offenders in juvenile courts and approved homes.

These are certain government regulations that are specific to teenagers:

Alcohol
Minimum age for purchasing alcohol - 18 years of age

Chewing Gum
The sale of chewing gum is banned in Singapore but its consumption is not.

Driving
Minimum age for obtaining a driver's license - 18 years of age

Drugs
Consumption of drugs is an offence and a heavy penalty awaits offenders.
See Down with Drugs for more information.

Education
Education up to Primary 6 is compulsory

Identity Card
Once a citizen of Singapore reaches the age of 15, he/she needs to register for an Identity Card

Marriage
A Special Marriage License is needed for people below the age of 18 who want to get married. For Muslim marriages, the minimum age is 16 and parents must be present if the male is below 21 years of age.

Movies
Legal minimum age for movies categorised as Restricted Artistic R(A) - 21 years.

National Service
All male Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PR) who reach the age of sixteen and a half years old are liable for National Service. They are required to serve two or two and a half years of full-time service and up to 40 days of National Service every year until the age of 50 (for senior officers) or 40 (for junior officers).

Nightclubs
Minimum age for entry into nightclubs - 18 years

Sex
Minimum age to engage in sexual intercourse - 16 years

Smoking
Legal minimum age for the purchase of cigarettes or to smoke in a public place - 18 years of age

(Source: www.teencentral.gov.sg )