Sri Lankan government is exploring the possibility of restricting smartphone use and social media access for children, especially those under 12 as part of a broader effort to protect minors from harmful online content. The proposal has been officially discussed by senior cabinet members, though no final law has been passed yet.
The concern is pretty simple: children are spending more time online than ever before, and not all of it is healthy. The content children are exposed to is not only harmful but also abusive with unethical, immoral and inappropriate online materials all the while impacting child development and safety.
One reason for the government to discuss this issue comes amid a global trend of countries tightening rules in children’s access to digital platforms.
Australia has “rightfully” implemented a ban on social media (SM) for those under 16, France moved to ban SM use by children under 15 and other governments, including India are debating age-based limits or parental controls.
While many believe banning smartphones is the right step, some feel smartphones are part of everyday life. They argue that instead of bans, children need guidance, better rules, and digital education to help them use technology responsibly.
For now, it’s still just a conversation with no confirmed bans but what we, as the younger generation of the country, can see is that Sri Lankan government is trying to figure out where to draw the line between protection and freedom in a digital world.
Acadora 