Sri Lanka considering restricting access to social media for children under 12

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.

Minister Paulraj stated that discussions have already commenced on the matter. She noted that the government has proposed a complete ban on mobile phone usage for children under 12, alongside measures to prohibit their access to social media platforms.

Minister Paulraj pointed out that several countries around the world have already introduced laws restricting social media use among schoolchildren, and that Sri Lanka is also examining such models.

She further stated that the need for restrictions has arisen due to a rise in morally harmful and abusive incidents linked to children’s internet usage.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to introduce new legislation to address cybercrimes against children, which has already received Cabinet approval.

Furthermore, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) received a total of 10,455 complaints related to children in 2025. Of these, 8,514 complaints fell under the NCPA Act, while 1,941 complaints were outside its direct mandate.

Among the reported cases, 545 complaints involved sexual harassment while 231 involved grave sexual abuse. The Authority also recorded 79 teenage pregnancies and three abortions last year.

The NCPA added nine child marriages, 38 cases of rape, 150 incidents of cyber abuse targeting children, and 20 reported attempts of child suicide were also reported in 2025.

Additionally, the NCPA received 42 complaints concerning children without birth certificates and nine cases of children under five being left behind when parents migrate abroad.

These figures highlight ongoing concerns about child safety and protection in Sri Lanka, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and intervention, the NCPA noted.