However, other child rights organisations have adopted a more cautious approach, saying while they advocate for control, they are not in support of a total ban. “We cannot afford to be left behind, watching from the sidelines while our children fall victim to factors that have consequences that stretch far beyond the immediate issues. We need to focus on protecting the entirety of childhood from exposure to age-inappropriatedigital content, not just the school day,” said Farina.
She stated that a Unicef survey found that among South African children aged 9-17, 70% use the internet without parental consent, 25% have added unknown contacts, and 67% of those exposed to sexual images encountered them online. “The issue goes beyond mental health; it directly impacts the foundation of a safe society. The goal is not to be anti-tech.
The goal is to be pro age-appropriate tech,” she said. Dr Shaheda Omar, of The Teddy Bear Foundation, said South Africa should first observe the outcomes of the actions in Australia, noting that it is very difficult to impose a ban. “Children are getting tablets at school when they are as young as 11 years old,” she said, adding that there must be monitored use of the internet, and parents should also be empowered to ensure that the internet is being used in line with schoolwork.
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