THE Ministry of Health is warning that increasing exposure to social media is contributing to rising mental health and behavioural challenges among children, following a national consultation with medical and social care professionals held to examine the issue.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, said the forum brought together paediatricians, child psychiatrists, mental health specialists, social workers, family medicine physicians, autism specialists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation experts, and other stakeholders to assess the effects of digital platforms on child development and wellbeing.
According to the Minister, experts at the consultation raised concerns about a range of emerging issues linked to excessive and unrestricted social media use among children, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and reduced attention spans.
“The message from the experts was clear: we are seeing increasing concerns about anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, reduced attention spans, and other serious consequences linked to excessive and unrestricted social media use among children,” Dr Anthony said.
He noted that the findings point to a growing public health concern that requires coordinated national attention, adding that children must be protected from potential harm in the digital environment in the same way they are safeguarded from alcohol, tobacco, and other regulated substances.
“Our children are not guinea pigs for social media companies,” he stated, underscoring the need for what he described as stronger safeguards and age-appropriate restrictions on digital platforms.
Dr Anthony said the Government is considering policy options aimed at strengthening protections for children online, stressing that any measures would be guided by consultation with parents, educators, healthcare professionals and young people.
He emphasised that the approach is not intended to restrict opportunity or access to technology, but rather to ensure safer and more responsible use of digital platforms during childhood development.
“This is not about limiting opportunity. It is about protecting childhood,” he said.
The Health Ministry maintains that the wellbeing and future of children must take priority over commercial interests, including what it described as “addictive algorithms” used by some social media platforms to retain user engagement.
Dr Anthony added that failure to address the issue now could have long-term social and health consequences.
“If we fail to protect our children today, we will pay the price tomorrow,” he warned.
The Ministry of Health said it remains committed to ongoing engagement with key stakeholders as it develops policies aimed at creating a safer digital environment for children across Guyana.