• Government drafting Child Online Protection Policy with age verification
• Proposal aims to curb cyberbullying, exploitation and harmful content exposure

Zimbabwean authorities are moving to restrict minors' access to social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, as part of a broader national strategy to strengthen child protection online. The plan was unveiled on Sunday, March 8, by Information and Communication Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera during a speech in Karoi.

The initiative is part of a wider government effort to address risks posed by online platforms to young users. Authorities say the measure aims to limit children's exposure to inappropriate content while addressing issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation and social media addiction.

While the details of the proposal have yet to be finalised, the restriction would likely require the introduction of age-verification systems on digital platforms. Social media companies could therefore be required to strengthen their controls to prevent underage users from gaining access.

"We are working on a law under the social sector called the Child Online Protection Policy so as to protect the young ones. [...] By so doing we want to protect the young generation by banning social media to children who have not reached the maturity age of 18," Minister Mavetera said.

The announcement comes as governments around the world step up efforts to regulate young people's use of social media. Authorities are increasingly concerned about the impact of online content on adolescent mental health and the risks of exposure to violent or explicit material.

Gabon recently banned access to social media platforms "until further notice," citing similar concerns. According to the country's High Authority for Communication, incidents of coordinated cyberbullying, the unauthorised disclosure of personal data and practices deemed harmful to public order and national security have increased on Gabonese social media. Authorities have also criticised companies for what they describe as inadequate moderation of illegal content.

A potential outright ban has nonetheless sparked debate. Some observers argue that social media can also serve as a valuable tool for young people, supporting learning, access to information and freedom of expression. They note that enforcing a total ban could prove difficult, particularly given the challenges of verifying users' ages online.

For now, Zimbabwean authorities have not announced a timeline for adopting the measure. The proposal is nonetheless expected to fuel broader discussions about regulating digital platforms and protecting minors online.

"As we implement the Child Online Protection Policy, we are also coming with programmes on how children use social media," Mavetera added.

Adoni Conrad Quenum