Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is weighing a potential legislative ban on social media usage for children under 12 to mitigate online risks.
This consideration follows urgent calls from Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon, who advocates for strict protections against the addictive nature of digital platforms, similar to regulations recently enacted in Australia.
While the government is committed to safeguarding youth from bullying and exploitation, officials emphasize that any restrictions must balance public safety with the preservation of free speech for adults.
These discussions are part of a broader national initiative to curb early-onset addiction, which includes raising the legal age for alcohol, cannabis, and gambling. Minister Dominic Smith further suggests that the solution lies in responsible governance, digital literacy, and holding tech platforms accountable rather than imposing a total prohibition on the general public.