The College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL) has raised concerns over the increasing number of child suicides, attributing social media as a contributing factor.
CCPSL Chairperson Dr. Kapila Jayaratne revealed that over 200 child suicide cases have been reported in 2024. He highlighted a sharp rise in numbers, with 133 cases in 2022 and 270 in 2023, according to unofficial data.
Dr. Jayaratne emphasized the need for regulatory measures, stating, “One step that can be taken is to ban social media in some way. We have gathered information on what can be done as a country and hope to reveal more details within a week or two.”
While acknowledging both the positive and negative impacts of social media, CCPSL is currently working on recommendations to better regulate its use and mitigate its risks to children.
