National consultation on social media’s impact on children launchedv

The Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Ministry on Tuesday launched a national consultation on the impact of social media on children, bringing together Government officials, religious organisations and other stakeholders to examine how Guyana can better protect young people in the digital age.
The consultation, held at the World Trade Center Guyana in Kingston, Georgetown, focused on assessing the effects of digital platforms on children and developing strategies to address emerging risks associated with online activity.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira said the consultation is intended to encourage stakeholders to contribute ideas and recommendations that can help shape policies suited to Guyana’s circumstances.
“We will ask you, the stakeholder, to go back to your organisations, discuss these issues, and we will meet back in two weeks’ time to hear now what you are proposing, what you agreed to, what you don’t agree to, and what you think can work in Guyana and what you think can’t work in Guyana,” Teixeira told participants.
She stressed that the initiative is not designed to discourage the use of technology, but rather to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect children from harmful online content and experiences.
Participants included representatives from several Government Ministries and organisations involved in youth development, child protection and policymaking. Among those attending were Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Education Minister Sonia Parag, Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith, and Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, along with other members of the Cabinet.
During the consultation, Dr Persaud highlighted the important role parents play in supervising their children’s online activities and device usage. She underscored the need for families to remain vigilant as children increasingly engage with digital platforms.
The consultation comes amid growing international concern over the impact of social media on children and adolescents. Governments in several countries have introduced or are considering measures aimed at addressing issues such as cyberbullying, mental health challenges, online exploitation and exposure to inappropriate content.
Australia has moved to restrict access to certain social media platforms for users under the age of 16, while a number of European countries are exploring stronger age-verification requirements and additional protections for young users. Policymakers in those jurisdictions have also called on technology companies to take greater responsibility for child safety on their platforms.
Addressing the issue, AG Nandlall acknowledged the educational opportunities provided by the internet and social media but warned of the risks associated with unrestricted access.
He said that while digital platforms can serve as valuable learning tools, children can also be exposed to harmful content and experiences that may have serious social and developmental consequences.
Nandlall said the Government is examining measures to regulate children’s access to the internet and social media in an effort to safeguard their best interests.
“The consultations started yesterday and will continue in due course across the country with the engagement of all important stakeholders,” he said.
According to Nandlall, the initiative was launched by President Dr Irfaan Ali and is being led by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance in collaboration with other Government Ministries.
Tuesday’s consultation was held primarily with representatives of religious organisations, with additional engagements expected as the Government expands discussions nationwide.