NUGS President proposes social media ban for children below 15

The President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Rashid Ibrahim, has proposed a ban on children under the age of 15 using social media. He believes such a measure would help shape children's character and instill moral values, citing similar policies from Australia, France, and Indonesia. This call was made during a panel discussion at the fourth Muslim Leaders and Catholic Bishops Meeting Dialogue, focusing on addressing rising indiscipline in schools through the role of faith-based organizations.

Ibrahim, also a legal practitioner, stated that inadequate parental control and weak school supervision were factors contributing to increasing student indiscipline. He emphasized the importance of consequences for breaking rules and regulations. Lucille Hewlett Annan, Secretary of the National Commission for Civic Education, advised parents to prioritize their children's upbringing, welfare, and prayer.

Dr Haruna Zagoon-Sayeed, a Senior Lecturer and Lead Convener at the University of Ghana, advocated for increased government support for faith-based organizations to promote discipline in schools. He highlighted the challenges faced by a single chaplain overseeing 2000 students and the lack of moral education in schools. Dr Zagoon-Sayeed also pointed out that broken family structures and the absence of nurturing in children's environments led to rising indiscipline.

Very Reverend Father Cosmos Ebo Sabah, an Associate Professor at the University of Ghana, suggested that educators should receive more responsibility and authority to instill discipline, as the education system currently prioritized intellectual achievement over moral formation.