COLOMBO – A private member’s bill seeking to introduce a minimum age requirement for social media use and strengthen protections for children online was submitted to Parliament on Tuesday (23) by parliamentarian and President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha.
Titled Social Media Minimum Age Bill, it aimed to restrict access to social media platforms for children under the age of 16 and shield them from harmful online content, cyber risks, and other potential dangers associated with digital platforms.
Under the proposed legislation, the relevant minister would be empowered to formulate regulations governing children’s access to social media services, and could include measures to prevent individuals under 16 from creating or operating social media accounts.
The bill also provides for the introduction of rules governing the amount of time children may spend on social media platforms each day, as well as restrictions on the hours during which such platforms may be accessed.
Oversight and enforcement of the proposed law would fall under an authorized commissioner appointed through the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), according to the draft legislation.
The proposal comes amid growing global concern over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety, privacy, and exposure to harmful content. Several countries have introduced or are considering age-verification requirements and other measures aimed at limiting children’s access to social media platforms.
–ENCL
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