Antigua and Barbuda Begins Discussions on Restricting Social Media Access for Children Under 16 

Cabinet Begins Discussion on Possible Social Media Restrictions for Children Under 1 The Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet has begun discussions on whether children under the age of 16 should face restrictions on access to social media, although no policy decision has been made, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Thursday.

Speaking during the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, Merchant said the issue was raised during Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday as part of broader discussions concerning the well-being of young people.

“There was also a very brief discussion, but discussions that are expected to continue within the coming weeks and months, of social media and our young people 16 and under,” Merchant said.  

He emphasized that Cabinet has not adopted any policy or taken a formal decision to restrict social media access for minors.

Instead, Merchant said the government is beginning a conversation about whether safeguards should be introduced to better protect children from potentially harmful online content.

“There is no decision on that,” he said, noting that the discussions are expected to continue in the weeks and months ahead.  

Merchant said Cabinet’s concern centers on ensuring that the material being consumed by young people online is appropriate.

“The government will be moving towards having a discussion on that issue, ensuring that what they are consuming via social media remains wholesome,” he said.  

The discussion comes as governments in several countries have been examining measures to limit children’s use of social media platforms amid growing concerns over mental health, cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and excessive screen time.

Merchant did not indicate what form any future restrictions might take or whether legislation is being considered. He said only that Cabinet’s deliberations are at an early stage and are intended to explore the issue before any decisions are made.  

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