Dear Editor,
I have witnessed some ‘lows’ in my lifetime thus far, but this ‘takes the cake.’ I refer here to the general opposition in Guyana, particularly the We Invest in Nation (WIN) party, and their chronic behaviour in attempting to distort just about everything. Just a mere glancing at their approach showcases their unharnessed carping and kvetching. I am shocked that the “… planned social media regulations that will be implemented for children, for their (own) safety…” is being attacked. Under the aegis of Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, and in his words, it is an attempt “… to make the issue seem like a negative thing (and truly) it is merely them pulling at straws.”
Editor, I expect the WIN party to at least be on top of issues that are of global concern in this rapidly evolving cyber age that we are all caught up in. WIN should appoint a qualified, eager, and well-paid professional to follow issues that are trending.
Let me educate this quasi-political coterie, led by Azruddin Mohamed. It is time for the lot to be informed that what the ever-alert and noble AG is attempting to do is all about safe-guarding our children. In being informed and proactive, he is hoping not only to deter criminality against our juniors, but also to pre-empt scavengers of all sorts from invading and destroying Guyana’s greatest asset, that is our children. WIN must know by now (I hope) that cyber crimes of all sorts against children are surging globally, with online child sexual exploitation, sexual extortion, and enticement reaching record highs. The crisis is so rapidly outpacing the regulatory and safety measures of digital platforms, that urgency to protectively act is in a state of emergency.
Universally, governments are increasingly mandating social media protections for minors, even shifting the responsibility onto technology companies to ensure digital safety. For example, in Canada, lawmakers introduced the proposed Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34), which requires platforms to enforce a minimum age of 16 for accounts unless they implement strict regulatory safeguards.
Look at Australia, where there was the passing of legislation enforcing a minimum age of 16 for major social media platforms. For more on this kind of thing, I advise that WIN trace the European Union countries like France, Spain, Germany, and Greece, where they are all are advancing national regulations, with EU-wide age verification policies under consideration. I add that UNICEF keeps emphasizing the importance of robust enforcement mechanisms and consulting young people on the rules that govern their online environments.
Readers, I am all the way with Nandlall. He “… has assured the general public that there are no ulterior motives behind the planned social media regulations that will be implemented for children, stressing that it is merely for their safety.” This is what I have just delineated. I can posit no reason for opposing, or even questioning this most important introduction into our legal framework. Indeed, as he pointed out in ‘Issues in the News’, “… the initiative is devoid of any disadvantage because children will still have social media access it is just that it will be managed.”
He removed the fear of a ‘ban’ that will preclude the positives of social media for children by explaining that “They will continue to have access to educational programmes but they will NOT have access to pornography, and what they have access to will depend upon their age.” I ask is this a case of “… the government being uncomfortable with what happens on Facebook?” No way.
Honestly, and like the AG pointed out, good and caring adults are certainly not pleased with ‘every single thing’ that is seen on Facebook. We are inundated with the immoral and illegal, and seem to have no conscience to pique, nor sensibilities to offend. But we do have a governmental responsibility to create a conducive and salutary environment for our young people. The government therefore must not be remiss in the area.
(Look WIN and followers of WIN). Please be informed and educated, even if you do not want to be caring. The AG, like I just did, has proffered evidence of what is obtaining in the global village of today’s world. Cyber age is about compressing all of us into a single space, but that does not mean we cannot isolate and insulate ourselves for our own good. As per the United Nations, the leaders have already produced a model legislation which 177 countries have already signed on to, so regulating social media for children is not something that is going to happen it is already here. Guyana must follow suit immediately.
It is quite commendable that through the AG, the Government of Guyana has (already) written to various platforms seeking to establish a formal institutional relationship with them, so that censorship can be effected.
The General Secretary of CARICOM, I add has confirmed that the entire Caribbean Community is on board on this matter.
Afterall, Children must be protected on social media to shield them from severe risks like cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and exposure to harmful content that drives mental health issues. WIN should get on board.