The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) has strongly condemned the growing practice of some social media influencers exploiting children for online content, warning that such actions constitute serious violations of children’s rights and Liberia’s child protection laws.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 9, 2026, the Ministry expressed grave concern over the deliberate use of children in digital content—often involving profanity, humiliation, or coercion—solely to attract views, likes, shares, and followers on social media platforms.
According to the Ministry, children must never be used as tools for entertainment or personal gain, particularly in ways that expose them to emotional, psychological, reputational, or moral harm.
The practice, it said, undermines the dignity of children and places them at risk of long-term consequences, including stigma, online abuse, and trauma.
“The Ministry unequivocally condemns this practice, which constitutes a gross violation of children’s rights and dignity,” the statement said. “Children must never be exploited, manipulated, or exposed to harm for digital popularity or financial benefit.”
The MGCSP reaffirmed the Government of Liberia’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare and best interests of every child, in keeping with national laws and international obligations.
The Ministry referenced Section 20 of the Children’s Law, which guarantees protection from harmful work and practices that threaten a child’s health, education, spiritual, physical, or moral development.
The statement, amongst other things cited the Domestic Violence Act and international instruments, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Liberia is a signatory.
The Ministry emphasized that using children in staged, misleading, or emotionally exploitative content—particularly where profanity is involved—directly contravenes established child protection standards and legal frameworks.
Describing such conduct as “unacceptable,” the Ministry warned that it will not be tolerated and could attract legal consequences.
It called on all social media influencers, content creators, parents, guardians, and caregivers to immediately desist from involving children in harmful or exploitative online activities.
The Ministry also urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspected cases of child exploitation to the appropriate authorities.
The statement further stressed that protecting children is a collective responsibility and called on communities, civil society organizations, and digital platforms to work together to ensure that children are safe, respected, and protected both offline and online.
“The future of Liberia depends on the protection and proper development of its children,” the statement concluded.
According to the Ministry, these children’s rights must be upheld at all times.
“Their rights must be upheld at all times, in all spaces.”
