SA doesn’t encourage social media ban for under-16s - EWN

South Africa will not be introducing a social media ban for children under 16 anytime soon.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, recently confirmed the government's position in a parliamentary Q&A.

In response to a question about whether South Africa would follow in the footsteps of countries like Australia, the minister said there was no irrefutable indication that a general social media access ban for under-16s would prevent them from being digitally active.

Speaking to 702/CapeTalk’s Africa Melane, digital wellness consultant and TechBear Online managing director Mark Russell said the government's position was likely also informed by its capacity to police such a policy.

"I think the minister is also very aware that if legislation comes through, that the state then has to govern it, manage it, prosecute it. And the question is, do we have the capacity within our justice system and policing services to be able to do that?"