'Co-parenting App' To Help Divorced Parents Launched In Singapore

Singapore's Community Justice Centre (CJC) launched a new mobile app to help divorced couples with co-parenting, aiming to reduce miscommunication and conflict.

The move came after social service agencies in Singapore witnessed more people seeking co-parenting support and a high volume of divorce cases assisted by CJC's social and legal services. CJC aims to reach 500 users in the first year.

ALSO READ: Co-Parenting Your Child With Your Ex: What It's Really Like

'Co-Parenting SG' Features

Sharing a preview of the Co-Parenting SG app, the CJC wrote: "Divorce can be one of the most stressful events of a person's life with potential adverse impact on the children's well-being, both in the short and long-term. However, research has shown that positive co-parenting can help to negate the effects of divorce on children." The app is only available in Singapore.

It continued, "Premised on the key pillars of respectfulness, accountability, and transparency, Co-Parenting SG (CPSG) is designed as a practical, yet easily accessible tool, to support divorced or separated parents in their co-parenting journey."

The app has calendar scheduling functions and enables divorced parents to track their child's financial expenses by allowing them to attach receipts as proof. Additionally, users can share documents and exchange messages through a chat feature without revealing their phone numbers.

Logs from the app, including requests for time with the child in the calendar and message exchanges, can be exported for official purposes such as court submissions. The features align with the app's purpose to promote accountability and transparency in co-parenting.

CJC launched the app during the Charity Dinner at Sentosa Golf Club, where Minister Desmond Lee also spoke about CJC's role in keeping Singapore's justice system accessible.

Lee emphasized initiatives to assist individuals representing themselves in court, including providing online visual aids to help them understand complex legal processes and unfamiliar terms.

Dr. Leonard Lee, executive director of CJC, told The Straits Times that the center has consistently dealt with a high volume of divorce cases involving maintenance and child access issues, with the help of its socio-legal services.

The functions of CJC’s app, such as providing a template to request rescheduling of events or accessing arrangements, are designed to minimize conflict in case of last-minute changes, according to Dr. Lee.

While the app is currently voluntary, third parties such as mediators, social workers, and family lawyers will encourage their clients to use it.

Dr. Lee stated that CJC will draw attention to the potential benefits of using the app, such as reduced conflict, easier communication, and better organization of parenting tasks. This will demonstrate how it can simplify the lives of divorced couples and improve co-parenting.

Lee added, “It will be highlighted that improved communication and organisation can positively impact the child’s stability and emotional well-being and the app will be framed as a tool designed to benefit the child.”

Read this story of why a mom decided to allow her son to see his father amid the painful process of separation.