We are writing with reference to the recent statement by the Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton to engage discussions on banning social media access for children under 16 years of age. The question is not whether children should be protected online, but how. A blanket social media ban is a sweeping prohibition that risks undermining children's rights while failing to address the root causes of online harm.

While protecting children online is a legitimate public policy objective, a social media ban is not the solution.

Children face genuine risks online, including cyberbullying, online predators, harmful content, and exploitative algorithms. These concerns demand action. However, adolescent social media use is not a monolith, and complex challenges cannot be solved through one size fits all restrictions.