News
Rights groups demand stronger regulation of social media to protect minors
The call was made during a thematic working group media briefing organised by the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) at its secretariat in Ntinda, Kampala on June 17, 2026.
Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) officials during a press conference. (Credit: Rhyman Agaba)
By: Rhyman Agaba, Journalist @New Vision
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A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) advocating for children's rights has called for stricter laws and stronger safeguards to protect children from online sexual exploitation, warning that Uganda's rapidly expanding digital space is exposing minors to unprecedented risks.
The call was made during a thematic working group media briefing organised by the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) at its secretariat in Ntinda, Kampala on June 17, 2026. This development comes at a time when UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that children under 16 will be banned from using social media in the UK, saying such platforms were making youngsters "unhappy".
The conference brought together more than ten child-focused civil society organisations, including AfriChild Centre, the Uganda Community-Based Association for Women and Children Welfare (UCOBAC), High Sound for Children, Raising Voices, Concern for the Girl Child (CGC), Raising Teenagers Uganda, Zimba Child Hope Africa and Remnant Generation, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition on Ending Sexual Violence Against Children, UCRNN executive director Damon Wamara said recent security operations in Kampala that led to the arrest of 27 girls and young women accused of online prostitution should be viewed as a child protection issue rather than solely a criminal matter.
"The arrests should serve as a national wake-up call on the urgent need to make digital spaces, homes, schools and communities safer for all children," Wamara said.
He argued that children involved in online sexual activities are often victims of exploitation, coercion, manipulation, trafficking and weak child protection systems rather than willing participants.
Wamara noted that while digital technologies and social media platforms have expanded opportunities for learning, innovation and social interaction, they have also increased children's exposure to online predators, exploitative networks and harmful content.
He warned that online sexual exploitation takes many forms, including online grooming, child sexual abuse materials, sexual extortion, trafficking facilitated through digital platforms and live-streamed sexual abuse.
"These incidents should promote national dialogue and collective action to address the growing problem of sexual violence against children," he said.
"The arrests should serve as a national wake-up call on the urgent need to make digital spaces, homes, schools and communities safer for all children," Wamara said.
He argued that children involved in online sexual activities are often victims of exploitation, coercion, manipulation, trafficking and weak child protection systems rather than willing participants.
Wamara noted that while digital technologies and social media platforms have expanded opportunities for learning, innovation and social interaction, they have also increased children's exposure to online predators, exploitative networks and harmful content.
He warned that online sexual exploitation takes many forms, including online grooming, child sexual abuse materials, sexual extortion, trafficking facilitated through digital platforms and live-streamed sexual abuse.
"These incidents should promote national dialogue and collective action to address the growing problem of sexual violence against children," he said.
Tabitha Suubi, the Violence Against Children Influencing Manager at Raising Voices, called for age-appropriate access controls on social media platforms and greater accountability from technology companies.
"This includes establishing and enforcing age-appropriate access to social media platforms and holding technology companies accountable for not implementing robust measures to protect children from online exploitation, abuse and other digital-related harm," Suubi said.
She also urged parents and caregivers to educate themselves about online safety, communicate openly with their children and promote responsible internet use.
According to Suubi, schools should strengthen digital literacy programmes and closely monitor computer usage, while media organisations should report children's issues ethically by protecting victims' identities and avoiding sensational coverage.
"We also want to remind security agencies to treat children who have experienced sexual violence as those in need of protection and support," she added.
Hadijah Mwanje, the executive director of High Sound for Children, said protecting children online requires a coordinated effort involving government, technology companies, civil society organisations, communities and families.
"The digital transformation of society is irreversible. We cannot stop the digital age. But exploitation of children online is not inevitable," Mwanje said.
She urged stakeholders to strengthen prevention efforts and build robust child protection systems capable of safeguarding children both online and offline.
Government speaks out
Representing the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development(MGLSD), Acting Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs Mondo Kyateka acknowledged growing concerns about children's exposure to age-inappropriate content online.
"What we are seeing on the internet and social media is information that is not commensurate with the age of many children in this country, and it is driving them into actions beyond their age," Kyateka said.
He stressed that government efforts alone would not be sufficient and called for a multisectoral response involving parents, schools, communities, civil society organisations, security agencies and the media.
Kyateka linked online exposure to broader challenges affecting children's education, including teenage pregnancy and school dropout.
"Every child deserves the right to go to school, and every child must be helped to live to their full potential," he said.
Responding to questions about proposals emerging from international discussions on child online safety, Kyateka said Uganda could consider adopting stronger legal and policy measures to regulate children's access to harmful online content.
"Since people are misusing the internet and misusing information, it may be a good idea to have laws and policies that will protect our children," he said.
He expressed confidence that government institutions, including Cabinet and Parliament, could consider such proposals when they reconvene.
The civil society coalition urged government, technology companies, parents, schools and communities to work together to prevent online exploitation and ensure children can safely benefit from digital technologies without being exposed to abuse and exploitation.
"This includes establishing and enforcing age-appropriate access to social media platforms and holding technology companies accountable for not implementing robust measures to protect children from online exploitation, abuse and other digital-related harm," Suubi said.
She also urged parents and caregivers to educate themselves about online safety, communicate openly with their children and promote responsible internet use.
According to Suubi, schools should strengthen digital literacy programmes and closely monitor computer usage, while media organisations should report children's issues ethically by protecting victims' identities and avoiding sensational coverage.
"We also want to remind security agencies to treat children who have experienced sexual violence as those in need of protection and support," she added.
Hadijah Mwanje, the executive director of High Sound for Children, said protecting children online requires a coordinated effort involving government, technology companies, civil society organisations, communities and families.
"The digital transformation of society is irreversible. We cannot stop the digital age. But exploitation of children online is not inevitable," Mwanje said.
She urged stakeholders to strengthen prevention efforts and build robust child protection systems capable of safeguarding children both online and offline.
Government speaks out
Representing the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development(MGLSD), Acting Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs Mondo Kyateka acknowledged growing concerns about children's exposure to age-inappropriate content online.
"What we are seeing on the internet and social media is information that is not commensurate with the age of many children in this country, and it is driving them into actions beyond their age," Kyateka said.
He stressed that government efforts alone would not be sufficient and called for a multisectoral response involving parents, schools, communities, civil society organisations, security agencies and the media.
Kyateka linked online exposure to broader challenges affecting children's education, including teenage pregnancy and school dropout.
"Every child deserves the right to go to school, and every child must be helped to live to their full potential," he said.
Responding to questions about proposals emerging from international discussions on child online safety, Kyateka said Uganda could consider adopting stronger legal and policy measures to regulate children's access to harmful online content.
"Since people are misusing the internet and misusing information, it may be a good idea to have laws and policies that will protect our children," he said.
He expressed confidence that government institutions, including Cabinet and Parliament, could consider such proposals when they reconvene.
The civil society coalition urged government, technology companies, parents, schools and communities to work together to prevent online exploitation and ensure children can safely benefit from digital technologies without being exposed to abuse and exploitation.