MEDIA professionals from across Guyana on Saturday participated in a national consultation to examine the effects of social media and digital technologies on children, as the government continues its efforts to develop a comprehensive child online safety framework.
The engagement, hosted by the Department of Information and Public Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister, brought together representatives from media organisations to discuss challenges, opportunities and possible policy measures related to children’s use of digital platforms.
The session was led by Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy. It formed part of a broader consultation process coordinated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, has accused Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his associates of deliberately spreading misinformation to undermine government programmes and mislead the public.
Speaking at the National Communications Network (NCN)’s 21st Annual General Meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, McCoy said that misinformation and disinformation have become major threats in today’s digital age.
Minister McCoy noted that social media, artificial intelligence and instant communication have transformed the way information is shared, making the role of credible media organisations more important than ever.
“We are operating in an era shaped by digital technology, social media, artificial intelligence, and, regrettably, a growing culture of misinformation and disinformation,” McCoy said.
The minister warned that false information can spread rapidly, causing confusion, damaging reputations and eroding public trust, and stressed the need for responsible journalism and accurate reporting.
Participants examined several proposals currently under consideration, including the introduction of a minimum age requirement for social media access, mandatory age-verification systems, child-friendly platform standards, expanded digital literacy programmes, parental support initiatives and the creation of a Child Online Protection Authority.
Minister McCoy stressed that the measures remain proposals and that no final decisions have been made. He noted that the consultation process is designed to gather views from citizens and stakeholders before any policy direction is determined.
According to the minister, while digital technologies have opened doors to education, innovation, creativity and communication, they have also exposed children to significant risks. These include cyberbullying, online harassment, harmful content, misinformation and various forms of exploitation.
He emphasised that the government’s primary objective is to safeguard children while ensuring that technology continues to serve as a tool for learning, cultural expression, entrepreneurship and responsible engagement.
Director of Public Affairs Gordon French emphasised the importance of public participation, explaining that the consultation aims to gather practical recommendations and real-world experiences from those involved in producing and distributing information.
French said the process is intended to remain neutral and inclusive, allowing stakeholders to openly share their perspectives and contribute to developing effective policy solutions.
During discussions, media practitioners highlighted the need to balance child protection measures with the preservation of freedom of expression. They also stressed the importance of ethical journalism, responsible reporting involving minors and stronger safeguards within media and digital content platforms.
Participants further explored the evolving media environment, noting that while social media has transformed communication and information sharing, it has also intensified concerns surrounding misinformation, digital influence and accountability for online content.
Representatives from the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Guyana Press Association (GPA), the National Communications Network (NCN), the Guyana Chronicle, MTV, 96.4 FM, the Ministry of Education’s broadcasting units, and several other media entities attended the consultation.
Stakeholders will be invited to submit additional recommendations via official feedback templates, with their contributions expected to help shape Guyana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen online child protection and promote safer digital spaces for young people.