The parliamentary group for family and children of the National Rally for Reform and Development (Tawassoul) said it is following with deep concern the growing risks posed by some social media platforms, foremost among them "TikTok", to children and young people, including the spread of harmful content and the risks of exploitation, harassment and online blackmail.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the group added that Mauritania faces social and educational challenges that call for serious attention, as children are increasingly absorbed by phones and screens at the expense of family communication, with what excessive use can bring: social isolation, weaker concentration and school performance, and declining interest in reading, education and training.
The parliamentary group called for the activity of the "TikTok" platform to be suspended in Mauritania until sufficient guarantees are in place to protect children and young people from harmful content, exploitation, harassment and online blackmail.
It called for a legislative initiative to draft a national law regulating the use of social media, protecting minors and criminalising online exploitation, blackmail and harassment, while obliging digital companies to take measures that ensure the safety of young users.
It also urged families, educational and religious institutions and civil society organisations to strengthen parental supervision and educational guidance, paying particular attention to children with autism spectrum disorder and those with special needs.
The group based its warnings on the risks linked to the spread of harmful content through digital platforms, citing recent media investigations in Spain into content linked to the sexual exploitation of children on "TikTok".
It stressed that its position is not a rejection of technology but seeks to ensure its safe use, protecting children and preserving their psychological, social and educational well-being, adding that protecting them requires the combined efforts of the family, the state and society.
