Children across Fiji are calling for safer social media use, while still wanting access to online platforms.

The Social Media Age Deferment Taskforce is working on measures aimed at strengthening online protections for children, with 16 proposed as the age for unrestricted access to social media.

Consultations were carried out with children across Fiji through Save the Children Fiji and the Department of Children, with UNICEF Pacific providing analysis of international approaches to protecting children online.

Children highlighted the need for safer social media platforms, greater awareness among children and parents, and stronger measures against people who target or harm children online.

Under the proposed framework, social media platforms would be responsible for verifying the age of their users rather than placing that responsibility on children or parents. A National ID for all citizens has also been proposed as a secure method of age verification.

Taskforce Chair Hon. Lynda Tabuya says children must be included in decisions that affect them, with their views helping shape the proposed solutions.

She says online child protection requires shared responsibility, including parents providing guidance, platforms putting safeguards in place and Government establishing the necessary protections.

The Taskforce will now move forward with its recommendations for consideration by Cabinet and Parliament.