President Maduro Rejects Viral Challenges and Calls to Protect Venezuelan Youth from Social Networks

“I tell the youth federation that we have a meeting and dialogue pending, but I want you to bring me proposals to continue defending Venezuelan youth in daily life,” he said. Jan 15, 2025 Photo: Presidential Press

January 15, 2025 Hour: 10:02 pm

“Practically the whole society is watching this. It is one of the big issues, and here in Venezuela, we will ensure and reiterate our commitment to protecting the country’s children,” he added.

Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro, expressed his firm rejection of the viral challenges that have proliferated on social networks, calling them “toxic and harmful” to youth.

During his Annual Message to the Nation, President Maduro stressed the need to take measures to safeguard the country’s children and adolescents from the risks associated with the irresponsible use of these digital platforms.

In his speech, the president made a call to action, urging ongoing dialogues with students from high schools, schools, and universities to collect recommendations on how to protect Venezuelan youth from what he called “the intoxication of social networks.”

“I tell the youth federation that we have a meeting and dialogue pending, but I want you to bring me proposals to continue defending Venezuelan youth in daily life,” he said.

President Maduro also reflected on the growing global concern about the impact of social media, citing examples of policies adopted in other countries, such as the decree by Brazilian President Lula da Silva that prohibits the use of cell phones in schools, and the restriction of access to social networks for children under 16 in Australia.

“Practically the whole society is watching this. It is one of the big issues, and here in Venezuela, we will ensure and reiterate our commitment to protecting the country’s children,” he added.

The president did not hesitate to point out tragic cases related to viral challenges, such as the deaths of three children in incidents linked to TikTok and the case of a young woman who was set on fire with gasoline in Venezuela.

These events, President Maduro explained, are not exclusive to the country but are repeated in nations like Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, as well as in Europe.

“We will promote safe and responsible use of social networks in 2025,” he concluded, emphasizing his commitment to protecting Venezuelan youth from the dangers that lurk in the digital environment.