Opposition lawmaker Harshana Rajakaruna has announced plans to submit a private member’s bill to Parliament this week seeking amendments to Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Act to strengthen protections for children on social media platforms.
He said the proposed amendments to the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, will focus on safeguarding children from online harm. Measures will include verifying users’ ages, requiring parental consent, assessing child safety risks, and addressing harassment and harmful content on social media, along with several other key aspects.
Rajakaruna noted that many countries have already introduced laws to reduce online harassment targeting children, but Sri Lanka has yet to implement adequate safeguards. As a responsible opposition, he said his party intends to formally request Parliament to consider the legislation.
He urged the government to evaluate the bill without political divisions, emphasizing that child protection should remain a shared priority. Rajakaruna also called for swift parliamentary action to approve the proposed amendments.
Additionally, he raised concerns about the negative impact of excessive social media use on children, highlighting increased exposure to harmful content, reduced social interaction, and unrestricted access that could affect their long-term development.
