Restrict social media access for children under 17 years – CRI
Accra, Ghana – June 22, 2026
The Child Rights International, CRI, is urging governments and regulators to ban children under 17 years from accessing social media platforms. The call comes amid growing concerns over the impact of digital platforms on young users.
Mental health and safety concerns drive proposal
According to CRI, unrestricted access to social media is exposing children to risks that affect their well-being. The organization points to rising cases of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and sleep disorders linked to prolonged social media use among minors.
Privacy is another major issue. CRI says many children share personal information online without understanding the long-term consequences. The group also warns that minors are increasingly exposed to cyberbullying, age-inappropriate content, and online predators.
“Children under 17 lack the emotional maturity to navigate the complexities of social media,” a CRI spokesperson stated. “We need stricter safeguards to protect them while they are still developing.”
Age verification and parental controls proposed
To address the problem, CRI has outlined a 10-point framework for reform. Key recommendations include mandatory age verification for all social media platforms operating in Ghana and stronger parental control tools by default. The group wants tech companies to be held accountable for enforcing age limits. It also proposes public education campaigns to help parents and guardians monitor online activity and set healthy screen-time boundaries.
CRI argues that Ghana can learn from other countries already testing similar restrictions. Australia, the UK, and parts of the US have introduced or are considering minimum age laws and verification systems for social media use.
Stakeholder reaction
The proposal has sparked debate among parents, educators, and digital rights advocates. While many support stronger child protection measures, others caution that a blanket ban could limit access to educational resources and online communities that benefit young people.
CRI says it is not against technology, but believes regulation must catch up with the risks. The organization plans to engage parliament, the Ministry of Communications, and the Data Protection Commission in the coming weeks to push the proposal forward.
For now, CRI is calling on parents to be more vigilant and on schools to include digital literacy and online safety in their curriculum.
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