Liberia Gender Ministry Warns Influencers Over Use of Children for Online Content

Monrovia, Liberia: The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as a disturbing rise in the exploitation of children by some social media influencers seeking online attention.

In a statement released Thursday, the Ministry said it has observed a growing trend in which children are deliberately used in online content, sometimes coerced into using profane or degrading language, purely to generate views, likes, shares, and followers.

The Ministry described the practice as a gross violation of children’s rights and dignity, stressing that children must never be manipulated or exposed to physical, emotional, psychological, or reputational harm for personal gain, entertainment, or digital popularity.

According to the MGCSP, the Government of Liberia remains firmly committed to protecting the welfare and best interests of every child, citing the Children’s Law of Liberia particularly Section 20 on protection from harmful work which guarantees children the right to be shielded from activities that threaten their health, education, moral development, or overall well-being.

The Ministry further referenced the Domestic Violence Act and international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Liberia is a signatory.

The statement warned that using children in staged, misleading, humiliating, or emotionally exploitative content especially where profanity is used to pressure participation can cause long-term harm, including stigma, online abuse, and trauma.

“These actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the Ministry emphasized.

The MGCSP has called on social media influencers and content creators to immediately stop using children in exploitative or unethical ways and to strictly adhere to child protection standards in all media activities.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers were also urged to take responsibility for safeguarding children from online content that compromises their safety, privacy, and dignity. Media institutions and digital platforms were encouraged to promote responsible content creation and to support national efforts to protect children from online exploitation.

The Ministry warned that individuals found guilty of exploiting children for social media content could face administrative and legal consequences under existing Liberian laws.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected cases of child exploitation to the nearest Gender Office, Police Station, or through the national toll-free child protection line 116.