In recent days, Senegal has been deeply shocked by exceptionally serious revelations: the existence of horrific predatory networks, many of which involve young people and minors, with dramatic human and health consequences. There has been talk of a crisis of values for some time, but few would have thought the country had reached this point.

This tragedy should not be seen as an isolated incident. It is a major warning sign. It reveals a reality we still refuse to face: the digital space in which our children grow up is now largely out of control. Few analysts consider it among the causes of this loss of our youth—in reality, it is a major cause. It is a ticking time bomb that must be defused urgently.

A massive and silent exhibition

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, Senegalese children are gaining access to the internet at increasingly younger ages. However, in the vast majority of cases, this access occurs without any filtering or guidance.

The figures speak for themselves: Senegal now has more than 11 million internet users, with an increase of nearly one million new users per year. Mobile internet, accessible from a simple smartphone, represents the vast majority of these connections — without filters, without parental controls, and often from a very young age.

This means in concrete terms that a 12-year-old child can, in just a few clicks, be exposed to: pornographic content, and all kinds of obscenities and vulgarity; extreme practices;

networks of manipulation; or even malicious individuals.

This early and uncontrolled exposure is not without consequences. It affects cognitive development, distorts social norms, and, in the long term, weakens our country's human capital. Everyone is noticing an increase in crimes of passion, incidents the country has never seen before.

A question of sovereignty

A state is sovereign when it controls its territory. Today, this territory is also digital.

However, the content our children consume is mostly produced abroad. The platforms that distribute it are beyond our direct regulation. The algorithms that influence behavior are not designed according to our values. In other words, a crucial part of shaping our youth's minds is beyond our control.

Regulate to protect… and to develop

Contrary to some misconceptions, digital regulation is not synonymous with restriction. It has become, all over the world, a tool for protection and development.

Countries like China, India, Turkey and the Gulf States have adopted a clear approach: protecting their youth from harmful content while massively directing young people towards digital skills.

China adopted a 60-article national regulation in 2024 requiring digital platforms to verify the identity of minors, limit connection time according to age, and mandate the integration of protection filters in all applications.

India adopted a law in 2023 prohibiting all advertising targeting of minors and making their registration on social networks subject to verifiable parental consent.

Turkey adopted a legal framework dedicated to regulating online content as early as 2007, with the stated objective of protecting families and minors from harmful content disseminated on the internet.

The Gulf countries have put in place national filtering systems to block pornographic content at the telecom operator level, while developing ambitious digital education strategies.

These countries have not only protected their youth, but they have also accelerated their development and strengthened their international competitiveness.

A suitable response for Senegal

Senegal is not starting from scratch. It has high-performing operators, a recognized regulator, and a growing digital ecosystem. It is now possible to implement a structured response based on four pillars:

1. Strict filtering of pornographic content

Thanks to existing technologies (DNS filtering, intervention by access providers), it is possible to severely limit access to this content on a national scale.

2. Structured user identification

Identification, already partially in place via SIM cards, can be strengthened to promote responsible use and combat abuse, while respecting data protection rules.

3. A massive investment in digital education

Protecting children is not enough: they must be guided towards the skills that will build the Senegal of tomorrow. This is the most strategic pillar.

4. A mobilization of the whole of society

No reform of this magnitude can succeed without collective mobilization. This challenge concerns public authorities, regulators, telecom operators, the education system, religious leaders, civil society, and of course, parents.

A call for legislative action

Given the magnitude of the challenges, it is now imperative that this issue be addressed at the highest level of government. We solemnly call for a debate in the National Assembly on the protection of minors in the digital space, with a view to drafting a comprehensive bill.

This debate should allow us to: assess current risks; identify solutions adapted to the Senegalese context; and build a modern, balanced and effective legal framework.

Finding the right balance

This is not about censoring the internet or restricting freedoms. It is about protecting minors, regulating misuse, and building a healthy digital environment conducive to personal growth and success, in accordance with the objectives of digital sovereignty.

A societal choice

The question facing Senegal today is simple:

Do we want to suffer the negative consequences of digital technology, at the risk of this time bomb eventually exploding—some parents are already beginning to disregard the younger generation they did everything to raise with our values? Or do we prefer to build a controlled, protective, and ambitious model—using digital education, as some countries have successfully done, to accelerate development in a predominantly young nation?

Recent events remind us that inaction has a cost. And it is our children who pay that cost.

Protecting our youth means preparing our future. Regulating digital technology means strengthening our sovereignty. Educating our youth means accelerating our development.

The time to act has come.

By Mouhamadou Lamine MBACKÉ

President of the African Institute of Islamic Finance (AIIF)