Guyana: Guyana Government Initiates Consultations on Social Media Regulation for Children

The Government of Guyana has initiated national consultations to assess the impact of social media on children, with a focus on potential regulations aimed at protecting minors from harmful and inappropriate content. Attorney General Anil Nandlall announced the launch of these consultations at the World Trade Center, under the guidance of Minister of Governance Gail Teixeira, following an initiative by President Irfaan Ali.

Nandlall emphasized the importance of regulating social media and internet use, particularly concerning children. He stated that children must be shielded from what he referred to as the “vulgarities” and “dark side of the web,” while still being able to access educational and beneficial online resources. He remarked, “You are all users of the web. You are all users of social media. And you know the content that is available there.”

The Attorney General expressed concerns that, without appropriate safeguards, children could easily encounter unsuitable material. He stated, “We have decided to start work on establishing a regulatory framework that will protect our children from the pernicious materials that are available on the worldwide web and on social media.” Nandlall clarified that the government does not intend to block access to positive online content, highlighting the educational resources available on the internet.

He noted that the focus of regulation will be on materials that children should not access. Nandlall acknowledged that regulating social media could raise concerns about censorship and state control, assuring the public that the government’s intention is not to silence citizens or infringe on free expression. He stated, “This is simply for the protection of our children.”

Nandlall argued that Guyana must address this issue, citing examples from various countries that have implemented measures for children’s online safety. He mentioned that countries in Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand have already introduced relevant laws. Guyana plans to study these existing models rather than create a new framework from scratch, aiming to develop a regulatory model tailored to local conditions.

The consultations will explore the dangers children face online, the types of content they may encounter, and the legal framework necessary to protect them while ensuring access to beneficial digital resources.

Source: hgptv.com