As Guyana advances national consultations on the effects of social media on children, participants are urging a balanced approach that safeguards young people while allowing them to benefit from the opportunities offered by the digital world.
Among those lending their voices was Razia Alli, who said the discussions are critical because social media should not be viewed solely as harmful, but rather as a tool that requires proper guidance and management.
Alli noted that while children can easily be exposed to harmful content, they can also access educational resources and information that broaden their horizons and create opportunities.
“Social media can be both good and bad. There should be some form of management and guidance because children can use these platforms to learn, improve themselves and access things that are beneficial,” she stated.
Alli said the consultations provide an avenue for students, parents and stakeholders to share perspectives that will ultimately shape policies aimed at protecting children while allowing them to responsibly engage in the digital space.
Hemwantie Sawh, a mother of two, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that families have a critical role to play in regulating children’s screen time and monitoring their online activities.
Drawing from her own experience as a mother of a child in an examination class, Sawh admitted that balancing educational use with recreational use of devices can be challenging, but insisted that parents must remain actively involved.
“You don’t just give a child a phone, when you give a child a device, it becomes an extra responsibility on you as a parent to monitor and play your role,” she emphasised.
Sawh also called on parents to lead by example, noting that adults must moderate their own screen habits and dedicate more quality time to their children if they expect the same from them.
Their views were among several shared on Saturday during the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s consultation on the effects of social media on children, forming part of a wider national conversation initiated by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, described the issue as one requiring urgent and honest discussions, noting that social media has transformed how people communicate and access information, while simultaneously exposing children to misinformation, inappropriate content and unhealthy online behaviours.
He pointed to growing concerns worldwide over excessive screen time, online violence and the commercial nature of social media platforms, which often reward sensational content.
“Social media has become one of the most powerful tools of our generation, but we must ask ourselves some tough questions: how do we protect our children and how do we shape the future generation we want?” the minister iterated.
He stressed that policies affecting young people must be informed by the voices of citizens and called on parents, youth groups, sports associations and cultural organisations to actively participate in the ongoing consultations.
The minister expressed disappointment at the low turnout but announced that a digital platform will be established to allow wider participation and ensure recommendations from stakeholders across the country are captured.
According to Minister Jacobs, while infrastructure development remains important, equal attention must be given to nurturing and protecting Guyana’s most valuable resource, its people.
He said the government’s approach is guided by the vision of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who recognised the need to address the long-term implications of social media on the nation’s children and ensure policies are developed through broad public engagement.
The consultation forms part of a series of nationwide engagements aimed at gathering recommendations that will shape future policies designed to protect children and promote responsible use of digital platforms