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The Christian Lawyers Centre, commonly known as LEGAL LINK, has formally petitioned President Julius Maada Bio to enact legislation prohibiting social media use for all children under the age of 16 in Sierra Leone.
In a letter dated December 10, 2025—coinciding with International Human Rights Day—LEGAL LINK Executive Director Rashid Dumbuya Esq. called for urgent executive action to curb what the organization describes as the “growing and harmful exposure” of minors to unregulated digital platforms.
Concerns Over Digital Safety The advocacy group argues that the current digital landscape poses severe psychological, social, and developmental risks to children. The letter cites rising instances of online exploitation, grooming by predators, and cyberbullying as primary motivations for the proposed ban.
“Our children, many as young as 8, 10, and 12, are now being drawn into a digital world that was never designed for their emotional maturity, mental health, or moral development,” the statement read.
Beyond safety concerns, LEGAL LINK pointed to a decline in academic engagement due to social media addiction and an “erosion of family, community, moral, and religious values” caused by exposure to explicit and harmful content.
The organization has outlined a specific legislative framework for the President’s consideration, proposing:
A Total Ban: A law prohibiting children under 16 from owning or using social media accounts.
Mandatory Verification: A requirement for telecommunication companies and digital platforms to implement strict age-verification systems during SIM registration and account creation.
Penalties for Adults: Punitive measures for parents, guardians, or adults who knowingly facilitate underage access to these platforms.
Educational Reform: The integration of digital safety into the national school curriculum to teach responsible technology usage and cyber ethics.
International Precedent In making its case, LEGAL LINK referenced global trends, noting that nations such as Australia have already recognized the need to protect youth from the negative influences of social media. The group urged President Bio to emulate these examples and position Sierra Leone as a leader in child protection in Africa.
The letter prefaced its demands by commending President Bio for his recent leadership roles as Chair of ECOWAS and his contributions to the UN Security Council. However, Dumbuya emphasized that the well-being of the nation’s children remains a paramount national security and moral priority.
The petition was copied to key stakeholders, including the Attorney General, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.
