The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has cautioned the youth against publishing false information online, warning that offenders could face arrest.
The Commission said spreading false information could violate the laws of the country and urged online users to verify information before sharing it and to use social media responsibly.
Director of Programmes at the NCCE, Dr Imurana Mohammed, gave the warning at the launch of the Empowering Ghanaian Youth Against Disinformation Project and the Let’sDebunk Civic Intelligence Platform.
“For young persons, as you sit and take your phones and tablets and think that you’re having fun, there are laws. And on a bad day, you could be picked,” he said.
Dr Imurana encouraged young people to make better use of digital platforms for learning and research rather than focusing predominantly on entertainment content.
“If you’re studying economics, how many will take out their phones and search for the latest modules? All we download is the latest videos and music,” he said.
He also expressed concern about the exposure of young people to hate speech online, warning that such content could negatively influence their views and perceptions..