Health Ministry to Develop Social Media Policy for Children and Adolescents

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is looking to develop a comprehensive policy framework to govern the use of social media by children and adolescents.

Making his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 12), Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, noted that while social media platforms have transformed communication, networking, and entrepreneurship, they have also introduced measurable social and psychological strain.

He cited studies indicating that 64 per cent of children aged 0 to 14 report negative effects of social media on their mental health, while 47 per cent of adolescents aged 15 to 19 report similar impacts.

Dr. Tufton emphasised that the issue is not unique to Jamaica. He explained that across the Caribbean, studies on cyberbullying, sexting, emotional distress, and suicidal ideation have reinforced growing concerns that social media has evolved beyond a communication tool and now represents a significant public health challenge.

“If you look at countries around the world, many are taking action… Indonesia, Greece, Norway. In fact the UK (United Kingdom) has championed an Online Safety Act that now requires platforms to monitor harmful content, enforce age verification, and remove addictive features,” he said.

“Here in Jamaica, it’s a free for all. Research has emerged from 2025/26 to confirm, however, a strong link here in Jamaica between social media use and increasing anxiety, depression, and digital addiction, particularly among our young people,” the Minister further stated.

Dr. Tufton added that 36 per cent of Jamaican content creators produce material involving physical altercations, while 29 per cent engage in aggressive online behaviour.

He noted that these trends contribute to a broader cultural shift, marked by heightened vulgarity and the normalisation of harmful content.

“The time has come for… this House… to have a serious consideration around the unrestricted access to social media as it relates to our children, in particular, because it is a problem. The research, as outlined earlier… we hope [will] guide a conversation and certainly to advocate for some changes in this regard,” the Minister said.

Dr. Tufton further highlighted that Jamaica’s digital landscape reflects rapid and widespread adoption, with approximately 2.45 million internet users recorded in 2025 and 3.18 million active mobile connections.

“Social media penetration is equally significant. One million Jamaicans using Instagram, 1.6 million on Facebook by late 2025, driven by users between the age of 25 and 34,” he indicated.