By Nasser Kayanja

KAMPALA — The government has been urged to introduce regulations to protect children from the harmful effects of unrestricted use of social media and other digital communication platforms.

The call was made by Hadijah Mwanje, Executive Director of High Sound for Children Uganda, an organisation that advocates for the protection of children from inappropriate media content.

Mwanje said parents should also exercise greater caution over their children’s access to digital platforms, warning that prolonged and unmonitored exposure could expose them to a range of mental health and social challenges.

She made the remarks during a digital safety training for girls, which focused on mental health challenges associated with unlimited and unsupervised use of social media platforms.

Mwanje said the government needs to put in place stronger measures to regulate children’s access to online platforms, arguing that many girls are facing serious challenges on social media while parents and guardians remain unaware of what they are exposed to.

“The government needs to institute regulations to ensure the safety of children on these platforms,” Mwanje said.

She noted that although boys are also affected by harmful content online, girls are particularly vulnerable to content and online interactions that can contribute to sexualisation and other forms of exploitation.

Mwanje also raised concern about children being exposed to activism and other adult-oriented content that may not be appropriate for their age.

She urged parents to take a more active role in monitoring their children’s online activities and educating them about digital safety rather than leaving them to navigate social media without guidance.