SINGAPORE, May 10 -- A growing number of youth sexual offences have been linked to early and repeated exposure to pornography, according to Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The Straits Times reported today that in 2024, more than 460 individuals aged 19 and below were arrested for sexual crimes, with incidents involving sexual penetration of minors most common.

This figure was on par with 2023, which saw over 470 arrests - a 30 per cent increase from the previous year.

The MHA highlighted that many young offenders, like a 17-year-old boy who filmed his female classmates in school without consent, lacked awareness of the impact of their actions.

The boy, who had watched pornography for years from the age of 11, had learned t...