Sri Lanka’s government is considering restricting access to social media for children under the age of 12, as concerns grow over the impact of digital exposure on child safety and well-being. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Savithri Paulraj said discussions on the proposal have already begun, signaling a potential shift toward stricter regulation of children’s use of digital technology.
The proposal under consideration includes a complete ban on mobile phone usage for children below 12, along with measures to prevent them from accessing social media platforms. According to the Minister, the initiative is part of a wider effort to shield young children from harmful online environments and to address the risks associated with early and unsupervised internet use.
Minister Paulraj noted that Sri Lanka is examining regulatory models adopted in other countries, many of which have already introduced laws limiting social media access for schoolchildren. She said these international examples are being studied to determine how similar safeguards could be adapted to Sri Lanka’s social, legal, and technological context.
The government’s move comes amid reports of a rise in morally harmful content and abusive incidents linked to children’s online activity. Authorities have expressed concern that children are increasingly exposed to exploitation, cyberbullying, and other forms of digital abuse, prompting calls for stronger intervention by the state.
Alongside the proposed restrictions, the Sri Lankan government plans to introduce new legislation aimed specifically at addressing cybercrimes against children. The draft law has already received Cabinet approval, underscoring the government’s intention to strengthen legal protections for minors and align its child safety framework with emerging global standards on online protection.
