The initiative, currently under study by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the Ministry of Education in collaboration with other institutions, seeks to address the increasing exposure of children to online content at an early age. Officials say many children now spend long hours on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and X, often without adequate parental oversight.

Authorities argue that this trend can negatively affect children’s concentration, academic performance, and mental well-being, prompting the need for a more structured approach to digital use.

At the center of the proposed solution is the planned rollout of a digital identification system. According to Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, this system will enable age verification when users attempt to access social media platforms.

Under the proposal, every individual including children would have a digital ID, allowing systems to automatically grant or deny access based on age.

“This is not about banning technology,” Ingabire emphasized in a recent discussion. “It is about ensuring that it is used in a way that benefits children and protects them from harm.”

Alongside this measure, the government is also exploring the development of a parental control application that would allow guardians to monitor their children’s online activity. The tool is expected to provide insight into the type of content children consume, helping parents play a more active role in guiding digital behavior.

Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana stressed that the broader goal is not to restrict innovation, but to promote responsible use of technology, particularly in learning environments.

“We are not fighting technology or phones,” he said. “We are asking how they can be used to support learning instead of distracting students.”

He added that existing rules banning mobile phones in schools will remain in place, even for students above the age of 16 who are still in secondary education, as part of efforts to maintain focus in classrooms.

The proposed measures are still under review, with authorities working alongside telecom companies and other stakeholders to ensure the systems are ready before implementation. Legal frameworks are also being developed to support enforcement once the policy is finalized.

Rwanda’s move reflects a growing global trend, with countries such as Australia and Spain already exploring or implementing restrictions on social media use among minors.