As Facebook deals with the aftermath of its failure to prevent the spread of fake news and its involvement in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Papua New Guinea announced that it would be taking a month-long break from the social media platform.

According to Communication Minister Sam Basil, the break is meant to give Papua New Guinea an opportunity to identify fake Facebook profiles as well as a chance to consider the social media platform’s impact on that country.

Officials will examine how the 10 percent of internet users in the country use the platform and identify those in breach of the country’s 2016 cyber-crime laws.

"The time will allow information to be collected to identify users that hide behind fake accounts, users that upload pornographic images, users that post false and misleading information," said Basil. "We can also look at the possibility of creating a new social network site for PNG citizens to use with genuine profiles as well. If need be then we can gather our local applications developers to create a site that is more conducive for Papua New Guineans to communicate within the country and abroad as well," Basil added.