An attempt to introduce minimum age limits for social media usage among children is a step in the right direction, according to Bright Appiah, the Executive Director of Child Rights International.
Mr Appiah, who also serves as a board member for the Global Campaign for Education and chairman of the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC), underscored the urgent need to protect children with additional restrictions on harmful online features.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he indicated that there is a growing global movement toward age-based restrictions. Just as the UK, China, Australia, and other countries have done, it would be prudent for Ghana to follow suit.
He noted that it would be exceptional for Ghana to introduce measures designed to protect youth from excessive screen time and harmful content.
Globally, the momentum for regulation is shifting.
The U.K. government recently proposed a sweeping social media ban for children under 16, aiming to block platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat while restricting harmful features like livestreaming.
Similarly, countries including France, Canada, India, and Turkey are actively debating or introducing draft proposals for age-based restrictions.
These nations took decisive action to combat mental health risks, addiction, and cyberbullying.
While platforms previously required users to be at least 13, recent legislative proposals worldwide are pushing the minimum age to 16, accompanied by strict age-verification mandates.
However, Mr. Appiah argues that Ghana can go even further by increasing the age limit beyond what others have proposed.
He highlighted that younger users face higher risks of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep hygiene tied to online engagement.
“The countries that have taken the restrictions first conducted comprehensive research into the negative impact on children on excessive social media usage,” Appiah stated. “China for example after their research discovered that children were having access to so much information which affected their educational performance and so instead of making everything available to them, they restricted some sites and made available information that oy built the capacity of children.”
He warned that a failure to ensure children access good information is dangerous, because exposure to bad information can undermine their safety and sanity.
Research conducted by his own organization reveals that certain online information remains entirely unrestricted.
He lamented that Ghana’s digital space is currently so open that it has become far too easy for children to access sensitive information, posing a direct threat to their fundamental well-being.
Excessive screen time among Ghanaian children is another major threat that must be addressed.
Bright Appiah explained that “majority of the children access information on social media by using their parents phones. This means that there some sensitive information our children will have access to just by using their parents phones. The consequences of social media is now a global challenge and if we fail in addressing them, we may need resources in addressing the threats and effects.”
To combat this, he suggested the state use its discretion to limit social media access for children below 18 years. This long-term approach would ensure that children only engage with impactful content that increases their knowledge and skills.
In line with these protections, he also commended a recent announcement by the Communications and Digital Technology Minister to introduce a system requiring strict verification for individuals accessing adult websites, a move designed to prevent minors from viewing explicit content.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana