Morocco’s CESE warns of digital overexposure risks for youth
Morocco’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) has released a comprehensive report highlighting the physical, mental, and social impacts of excessive digital technology use among children. The report reveals concerning trends in digital consumption and recommends significant legislative reforms.
According to CESE’s findings, as relayed by the news outlet Le360, approximately 90% of Moroccans use social media platforms, with an alarming 97% of children under 18 having access to these networks. The council’s president, Ahmed Réda Chami, emphasizes the urgent need to align national legal frameworks with international standards protecting children’s digital rights.
A survey conducted by CESE reveals that 58% of participants believe social media negatively impacts children, while 69% express serious concerns about youth platform usage. More troublingly, 60% of respondents report awareness of at least one case of physical or psychological violence against children linked to digital environments.
The council’s report identifies multiple health risks associated with excessive screen time, including behavioral addiction, violence, anxiety, isolation, self-harm, sleep disorders, depression, and suicide attempts. These risks are exacerbated by insufficient legal protections in the digital space.
In response, CESE recommends establishing a legal minimum age for social media access, currently proposed at 16 years old through legislation introduced by the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS).
Additional recommendations include implementing AI tools for proactive detection of inappropriate content; integrating digital education into early school curricula; launching family awareness campaigns about social media risks; developing clear protocols for reporting harmful content; and clarifying responsibilities of tech companies and telecom operators.
The council emphasizes that 88% of survey participants support incorporating digital education into school programs as a long-term preventive measure against social media risks.
