Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
ZIMBABWE is formulating a policy to ban under-age children from accessing and using social media platforms as part of efforts to protect minors from online harm.
The framework of the proposed Child Online Protection Policy seeks to promote responsible internet use in the digital era while ensuring that the rights of minors are not entirely curtailed.
Several countries are now implementing or considering similar policies.
Addressing hundreds of Digital Ambassadors, who graduated after acquiring digital skills in Hurungwe last Sunday, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the policy, which is still at the formulation stage, is a direct response to the growing abuse of social media by learners, including teenagers.
She said the policy seeks to safeguard the mental health of minors by shielding them from harmful content found online.
“We are now in the process of formulating a Child Online Protection Policy that is aimed at shielding our children from dangers and harm associated with social media. The policy will seek to restrict access to social media platforms for children under the age of majority,” Minister Mavetera said.
While she did not specify how the law would be enforced given that children often access social media in private spaces, the minister acknowledged the complexity of implementation.
“We have noticed with great concern the abuse of social media by our children. While we are not taking away their right to access internet services, the policy seeks to ban our children from using social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
“We cannot solve one problem by creating another. The policy will help protect young people from the dangers associated with social media,” Minister Mavetera said.
In December 2025, Australia implemented a landmark law banning children under 16 from major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat.
The law places the onus on platforms to enforce age restrictions or face fines of up to A$49,5 million.
While social media platforms like Facebook have their own age restrictions, Zimbabwe is expected to go a step further by introducing fines, like Australia and other countries now considering similar policies, for offenders.
Child president Lionel Mazarire welcomed the proposed policy, describing it as long overdue.
“We support the formulation of the policy. This will guide and protect us, as learners, in what to use the internet for. Primarily, the internet should be for our schoolwork.
“While there is a fight against drugs and substance abuse, we have yet another fight against social media abuse that we have to win, and the policy is the right decision,” he said.
A parent from Karoi, Mr Abel Matsika, said the move comes at a time when children are being negatively influenced by online content.
“As parents, most of the time we are busy working for the kids and turn a blind eye to how they are using their smartphones. The policy is going to help us manage and control them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Government is accelerating the Digital Ambassadors Programme to ensure citizens across the country acquire essential technological skills.
The initiative is part of efforts to drive digital transformation and ensure that no place and no person is left behind, a key development mantra championed by President Mnangagwa.
Minister Mavetera said the programme, introduced last year by the President, is already making progress in equipping communities with digital skills.
“We started with about 100 digital ambassadors last year, but we decided to train more so that we can enhance digital literacy across Zimbabwe,” she said.
“The programme is meant to ensure that people can access internet services without any problems. We want people to access artificial intelligence and use technology productively and responsibly.”
The programme, implemented by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), equips communities with knowledge in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, cybersecurity, and the International Computer Driving Licence.
Under the initiative, trained digital ambassadors will in turn teach others in their communities, helping the Government reach its target of 500 000 digitally literate citizens annually.
Minister Mavetera said about 200 000 people were trained last year, while the target for 2026 is 800 000.
She said digital literacy is critical in protecting citizens, particularly young people, from cyber threats.
“Young people must be aware of cybersecurity issues so that they safeguard their financial gains and personal information when using digital platforms,” Minister Mavetera said.
The Government is also expanding ICT learning in schools, with plans underway to introduce ICT and artificial intelligence studies from Early Childhood Development level through collaboration between the ICT Ministry and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
This Friday, the Government will launch the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, marking another step towards embracing emerging technologies.
In addition, the Government plans to establish digital hubs at another 500 schools across the country to widen access to computers and internet services.
Eventually all schools will be wired in.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo commended the programme for promoting digital skills and improving service delivery across communities.
She urged farmers to be cautious about cyberattacks, as many financial transactions are now conducted electronically.
“As farmers increasingly rely on digital platforms for money transfers and business transactions, they must also be alert to cyber threats,” Minister Chombo said.
Digital knowledge would also help farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture practices, particularly in a province that is a major agricultural hub.
“Hurungwe is the biggest tobacco-producing district in the province, contributing about 33 percent of production, while districts such as Zvimba and Makonde are major cereal producers.
“Gone are the days when we relied solely on conventional methods of predicting weather. With digital technologies, farmers can now access accurate information to guide their agricultural activities,” Minister Chombo said.
The Digital Ambassadors Programme was rolled out at five training centres across Hurungwe, including Karoi, Zvipani, Magunje and Chidamoyo, where community members and students received ICT training.
Beneficiaries of the programme include school learners and community members, who have welcomed the initiative.
Some residents, including Ms Tariro Madhodha and Ms Cathrine Bangura, said the programme had opened new opportunities for communities to access technology and digital services.
The Government has also deployed a mobile digital training truck in Hurungwe, allowing people in remote areas to experience and learn ICT skills.
Minister Mavetera also handed over Starlink kits to several schools in Hurungwe Central, Magunje and Hurungwe West constituencies.
