SINGAPORE, 5 DECEMBER 2025 – SP Group (SP) is donating S$850,000 to Youth Guidance Outreach Services (YGOS), to support its Cyber Outreach initiative, providing rehabilitation and prevention programmes for youths who may be addicted to online gaming and face the risk of social isolation. Through early intervention, the initiative aims to prevent them from becoming “hidden youth” – individuals who are disconnected from school, family, and the community and isolate themselves at home. This builds on SP Group’s past contributions to YGOS’ outreach programmes, bringing its total contributions to S$1.6 million.

The initiative was launched today by Mr Xie Yao Quan, Advisor for Jurong Central GROs. Mr Xie witnessed the presentation of SP’s donation to YGOS, which was made through Community Chest.

Extensive social isolation among youths can lead to poor physical health, strained family relationships, increased risks of psychological issues and even suicidal behaviours[1]. According to the Ministry of Manpower’s 2024 Labour Force Survey[2], around 17,000 youth, aged 15 to 24, in Singapore were not in school, employed nor undergoing any form of training in 2023. This represents 4.1 per cent of youth in Singapore who may be at risk of becoming “hidden youth”.

This year, the government reaffirmed its commitment to preserve social mobility and strengthen safety nets – building a nation that prioritises youths and future generations. In his first parliamentary address as Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong[3] cited growing concerns among young people on intensified competition and social stratification, highlighting similar global trends such as "躺平 (tang ping)" in China, "hikikomori" in Japan and "quiet quitting" in the West. He emphasised Singapore’s commitment to defy these trends.

Mr Xie said, “The world our youth face today is changing faster than ever – shaped by technology, global challenges, and evolving social norms. As a community, we must respond with understanding and action by creating safe spaces, strengthening family bonds, and offering various pathways for learning and growth. Together, we can help young Singaporeans feel valued and supported in building their future.”

Mr Stanley Huang, Group CEO of SP Group, added, "Our youth today are the foundation and future talent pipeline for our nation’s growth and development. We are committed to empowering them with the right support and resources to thrive in an increasingly complex digital world. By effectively engaging them where they are, we can connect with them in ways that resonate with their interests, and foster a sense of self-worth and belonging. This in turn can help build their confidence, hone their social skills and prepare them for a smooth transition into young adulthood.”

“We believe that early intervention is critical in supporting youths before challenges escalate. With the launch of our Cyber Outreach, a dedicated team to run the programme, and through our ongoing initiatives, we aim to extend sphere of connections and mentoring efforts. These will help us go further in creating a stronger and more supportive ecosystem – where every youth feels safe, seen, and empowered to do their best”, said Wilson Tan, Executive Director of YGOS.

One of the youths who has benefitted from the intervention programme is 14-year-old Joey Chung. Joey was constantly immersed in online activities as she felt unseen and unheard. Before joining YGOS, she often hid behind the screen – a common behaviour among hidden youths who turn to gaming or online spaces to feel safe. At YGOS, Joey found something different: a genuine connection with a community that values her for who she is, beyond just a username. “I usually play Roblox with my online friends through a masked identity,” she said. “But here, I feel supported and can be myself. The mentors here actually care, listen and encourage me to express my doubts and concerns, and share about things that bring me joy.”

A highlight of the event today was a gaming tournament attended by youths between the ages of 13 and 24 years old and community partners. About 120 participants, including a team from SP’s gaming interest group, competed in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, a multiplayer online battle arena mobile game. By bringing the youths together to interact in person on a common interest in a safe, environment, the event aims to foster genuine connections and build a sense of community. Beyond the tournament, the youths explored educational and interactive booths hosted by YGOS, REACH Community Services and Fei Yue Community Services. These booths offered various outreach services such as how YGOS’ Cyber Outreach team connects with hidden youths online to draw them out of isolation.

In 2023, SP contributed $750,000 to YGOS to launch the first-of-its-kind mobile youth engagement outpost with an electric vehicle, and to enable the full refurbishment of its youth centres in Woodlands and Ang Mo Kio to expand service delivery and outreach programmes.

For more information on SP Group’s community outreach and sustainable initiatives, visit https://spgrp.sg/csr.

[1] https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/programme-to-help-singapore-youth-overcome-self-isolation-shows-promise

[2] https://stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/Youth-Summary-Table.aspx

[3] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/we-first-society-lawrence-wong-social-mobility-safety-nets-5366126