Moxii Africa welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in response to the call for inputs on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people. In South Africa, youth face significant mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and psychosocial distress linked to South Africa’s high rates of violence, poverty, inequality, and family instability.

In making this submission Moxii Africa notes that while links and references to the work that Moxii Africa does and trends in South Africa have been included. It is critical to note that fundamentally, the issues being dealt with in the submissions are about real children, and Moxii Africa seeks to ensure that children’s humanity and the real impact of social media on children is felt. Especially when it goes wrong which has incalculable negative impacts on children’s mental health, on their families and their loved ones.

Read complete submission below.