The government is considering restricting access to social media for children under the age of 12, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Savithri Paulraj said.
She stated that discussions on the proposal have already begun and noted that the government is also considering a complete ban on mobile phone use by children under 12, along with measures to prevent their access to social media platforms.
Minister Paulraj said several countries have already enacted laws limiting social media use among schoolchildren, and Sri Lanka is studying these international models.
She explained that the move has been prompted by a rise in morally harmful and abusive incidents linked to children’s internet use.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to introduce new legislation to address cybercrimes against children, a proposal that has already received Cabinet approval.
