Child Rights International (CRI) has called for a ban on social media access for children under the age of 17, following findings from a recent study which revealed high levels of screen use among children and growing exposure to online risks.
The study indicated that children in the country spend up to seven hours a day online, exposing them to sexual content, cyber abuse and exploitation.
It further found that about 80 per cent of children aged between five and 12 use digital screens daily, with many spending between two and seven hours on devices, mainly mobile phones.
The research, which covered over 8,000 children in urban centres including Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Tamale, was conducted between March and May 2026.
In a report signed by its Executive Director, Mr Bright Appiah, CRI warned that the rapid growth in internet access and smartphone use was exposing children to serious online dangers.
The report stated that, “one of the most disturbing findings of the study is the growing exposure of children to online sexual content and exploitation risks.”
It identified sexual invitations, inappropriate messages and sexually explicit materials as some of the most common harmful experiences children encounter online.
CRI observed that many children access social media platforms without adequate parental supervision, and pointed to the lack of effective age-verification systems on many platforms.
According to the report, children were increasingly exposed to harmful content through online advertisements, gaming platforms, social media recommendations and pop-up messages.
The organisation further noted that children who use devices owned by adults may be exposed to unsuitable content, explaining that this often results from algorithms responding to the browsing history of the device owner.
Beyond online safety concerns, the report highlighted the impact of excessive screen use on children’s development.
It found that children who spend longer hours on screens are less likely to engage in outdoor activities, interact with friends or spend quality time with family members.
CRI warned that unrestricted access to digital platforms increases the risk of online grooming, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.
The report continued that “exposure to inappropriate sexual content at an early age can have lasting psychological and emotional consequences,” adding that such exposure could affect children’s understanding of healthy relationships, personal boundaries and appropriate social behaviour.
The organisation also raised concerns about what it described as a growing digital supervision gap.
It explained that many parents and caregivers lack the knowledge, skills and tools needed to effectively monitor children’s online activities, cautioning that if the trend continues, family interaction and communication could decline significantly in the coming years.
To address the problem, CRI is calling for legislation to restrict social media access for persons below 17 years.
It also advocated mandatory age-verification systems and sanctions for companies that fail to enforce them.
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
