Confronting social harm & collective responsibility

Guyana stands at a crucial moment in its social development, where economic expansion and infrastructural growth must be matched by deliberate attention to the country’s moral, cultural and social health. The Government’s decision to pursue wide-ranging national consultations on gambling, substance abuse and the influence of social media on children signals recognition that development is hollow if it leaves communities fractured and young people vulnerable. These issues, though distinct, share a common thread: unchecked social forces exploiting gaps in regulation, supervision, and public awareness, often with the most damaging consequences borne by families and children.
The impact of social media on young people has emerged as one of the most urgent concerns. Across classrooms and households, educators and parents have raised alarms about declining attention spans, exposure to inappropriate content and the erosion of behavioural norms. Viral incidents involving schoolchildren have underscored the reality that digital platforms do not merely reflect social behaviour but actively shape it. The challenge is not unique to Guyana; several other countries are already experimenting with age restrictions and stricter controls. However, policy responses must be grounded in local realities, cultural norms and enforceable mechanisms. Consultation, rather than reactive prohibition, offers a pathway to solutions that balance child protection, parental responsibility and technological realities.
Schools occupy a critical frontline in this debate, where incidents from poorly supervised activities reveal weaknesses in enforcement rather than in policy alone. Clear guidelines, accountability for administrators and consistent parental engagement are essential. Safeguarding children in digital and physical spaces requires more than condemnation after the fact; it demands preventive frameworks supported by training, monitoring and consequences for lapses. National dialogue must therefore extend beyond technology to encompass discipline, supervision and values education.
Equally troubling is the evolving landscape of substance abuse. The emergence of dangerous narcotics and unregulated vaping products presents a direct threat to public health and cognitive development, particularly among youth. These substances arrive through international networks, but their devastation is felt locally, in schools, workplaces, and communities. Addressing this crisis requires coordinated action that integrates law enforcement, public education, healthcare systems and international cooperation. Prevention must take precedence, supported by credible information campaigns that counter misinformation and reduce stigma around seeking help. Reactive enforcement alone cannot stem a problem driven by demand, accessibility and social pressures.
Gambling represents another corrosive force quietly undermining household stability. Once confined to regulated casino environments, betting has expanded into neighbourhoods and mobile phones, making access constant, and temptation relentless. Reports of financial ruin, family breakdown and workplace distraction point to a problem that cuts across income levels and professions. Addiction, by its nature, thrives in silence and denial, often shielded by the normalisation of betting as harmless entertainment. The proliferation of betting shops and online platforms has transformed gambling into a pervasive social risk rather than a marginal activity.
Regulatory reform, including taxation and tighter oversight, is a necessary component of any response. However, regulation alone will not restore savings lost or relationships strained. Public awareness, treatment options and community-based interventions must form part of a comprehensive strategy. Budgetary measures signal seriousness, but their effectiveness will depend on implementation, monitoring, and the political will to withstand resistance from vested interests and public discomfort.
Underlying all three challenges is the indispensable role of community and religious institutions. Policy frameworks can set boundaries, but social norms are shaped in homes, faith spaces, and civic organisations. These institutions possess moral authority, trust and reach that the Government alone cannot replicate. Collaboration, rather than delegation, is required, where public policy supports community-led programmes that promote discipline, compassion and civic responsibility.
The proposed consultations offer an opportunity to move beyond fragmented responses toward a coherent social agenda. Addressing social media misuse, substance abuse and gambling through collective reckoning is an investment in the nation’s moral and social future.