FROM all indications, 2026 will be a pivotal year for Guyana as the government moves toward legislative action to address the harmful effects of online gambling and the growing abuse associated with social media platforms.
These developments are long overdue. The unregulated digital environment—often described as a “Wild West”—has exposed societies worldwide to serious social, economic, and psychological risks, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.
President Irfaan Ali recently signalled a clear shift in policy direction, announcing that broad national consultations on social media regulation will commence this month.
The stated objective is to preserve the positive contributions of social media, while curbing its excesses.
This initiative aligns with legislative action on online gambling previously announced by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Together, these measures suggest a more assertive role for the state in safeguarding the public interest in the digital space.
Social media has undoubtedly transformed communication, access to information, and civic engagement in Guyana, as it has globally.
Yet, its darker aspects are impossible to ignore. The spread of disinformation, cyberbullying, online harassment, data manipulation, and the worsening of mental health challenges—especially among young people—have become defining features of largely unregulated platforms. Expecting self-regulation by multinational technology companies, or placing the burden solely on parents and guardians, has proven insufficient.
Guyana would not be acting in isolation. Across the world, governments are rethinking their approach to digital governance.
France has enacted legislation restricting social media access for children under 16, with similar measures being advanced by Denmark and Greece within the European Union.
Australia’s recently implemented law requires platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat to prevent under-16s from creating accounts, backed by significant financial penalties for non-compliance.
Other countries—including Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Korea, India, Brazil, and several in Africa and Asia—are also pursuing regulatory frameworks to hold platforms accountable, particularly in relation to child safety.
International momentum is equally evident. The first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, held in Colombia last year, placed social media abuse high on the global agenda, with more than 120 governments pledging to strengthen legislative responses.
At the multilateral level, the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, adopted in December 2024, will come into force in January 2026, establishing new international standards to address online exploitation, grooming, and the non-consensual sharing of images.
While Jamaica is currently the only CARICOM country to have signed the treaty, there is hope that Guyana and other regional states will follow suit.
As local consultations begin, legitimate concerns will arise about censorship, freedom of expression, and the risk of stifling innovation.
These concerns deserve serious consideration. However, they cannot be allowed to serve as a rationale for inaction.
The challenge lies in designing a regulatory framework that balances free speech, data protection, platform accountability, and public safety—particularly for children—while fostering a healthy digital ecosystem.
President Ali has acknowledged the profound ways in which social media has reshaped public discourse and has invited broad stakeholder participation in shaping Guyana’s response.
This collaborative approach is essential. Guyana has demonstrated before that it can rise above partisan divides to address complex social issues, crafting legislation that is both progressive and practical.
There is no reason the same cannot be achieved in the digital arena.
The central question is whether social media platforms should continue to operate without meaningful oversight.
Increasingly, the global consensus suggests they should not. With thoughtful consultation and principled leadership, Guyana has an opportunity to develop a regulatory model that protects its citizens, respects democratic values, and earns international respect.
The task is difficult, but the cost of inaction would be far greater.