The proposed minimum age of 16 for social media use is among several measures being examined under Guyana’s National Child Online Safety and Ethical Technology Framework, but Minister of Information and Public Affairs Kwame McCoy has stressed that the recommendation is not final and will be shaped by feedback from stakeholders.
The issue was raised during a series of consultations held on Saturday at the Office of the Prime Minister on Camp Street, Georgetown, as government engaged representatives from various sectors on measures aimed at creating a safer digital environment for children.
The consultations form part of a national process initiated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance on behalf of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to assess the impact of social media and related technologies on children and to explore policy options for addressing emerging concerns.
A key proposal outlined in the draft framework is the establishment of a minimum social media age of 16 years, with limited parental consent access for children between the ages of 13 and 15 and exemptions for approved educational platforms.
However, Minister McCoy made it clear that the age threshold remains open for discussion.
He noted that the framework is being presented for consultation precisely to allow stakeholders to offer their views and recommendations before any final decisions are made.
“The 16 years is not carved in stone,” the minister indicated, emphasizing that the consultation process will help determine whether that age is appropriate for Guyana’s circumstances.
According to the framework, the proposed age restriction would be accompanied by mandatory age-verification systems, child-safe platform design requirements, digital literacy education programmes, and enhanced parental support measures.
Another major proposal is the creation of a Child Online Protection Authority, a dedicated body that would be responsible for monitoring online threats, conducting public awareness campaigns, overseeing compliance, supporting research and coordinating international cooperation on child online safety issues.
The authority would serve as the national mechanism for protecting children in digital spaces and ensuring that online platforms adhere to any standards adopted by Guyana.
Participants were also told that government is examining possible enforcement mechanisms, including punitive measures for non-compliance, although discussions on the scope and nature of any penalties remain ongoing.
