Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada has issued a compelling call for legislative action across Caribbean nations to address the pervasive negative impacts of social media platforms. Speaking as a guest on the Government Information Service’s Spice Morning show on December 3, 2025, Mitchell characterized social media environments as breeding grounds for bullying, abuse, and systematic character defamation.
The Prime Minister emphasized that even technologically advanced nations are recognizing the dangers of unregulated digital spaces, which he warned could fundamentally undermine social cohesion. ‘We here in the Caribbean have to be concerned about having unfiltered access for all kinds of negativity that floats around in social media and what it does to our mental health and mental wellness,’ Mitchell stated during the broadcast.
Mitchell highlighted the current regulatory vacuum in the region, noting the absence of comprehensive policies to address misinformation, disinformation, and false information circulating online. He articulated the need for protective measures for vulnerable individuals who may lack the emotional resilience to withstand online harassment.
Beyond immediate harms, the Prime Minister identified a broader cultural concern, describing much of social media content as ‘mindless, numbless, pointless decadence’ that distracts from constructive societal development. He contrasted the current environment of trolling and abuse with the potential for platforms to highlight positive community-building efforts.
Mitchell called for a collaborative approach involving multiple sectors of society, urging churches, civil society organizations, and trade unions to join the conversation about digital responsibility. He warned that today’s targets might be politicians, but tomorrow’s victims could include religious leaders, civil society representatives, or union officials, making this a universal societal concern requiring comprehensive regulatory solutions.