The proposed framework will combine digital literacy, parental guidance, platform accountability and school safety measures rather than relying only on age restrictions.
The Government has begun developing a national framework to protect children from cyber threats, online violence and other digital risks.
A parliamentary discussion held under Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya considered measures including digital literacy, parental guidance, platform accountability and safety-by-design requirements. Draft school guidelines covering online safety, cybersecurity and digital wellbeing for students, teachers and parents were also presented.
The approach reflects the limits of relying only on social-media age restrictions. Children may still encounter harmful content, grooming, fraud, bullying, privacy violations and addictive design through a wide range of online services.
An effective national framework will require clear reporting channels, trained teachers, accessible support services and defined responsibilities for technology companies. It should also include safeguards against excessive surveillance and ensure that legitimate access to education and information is not unnecessarily restricted.
Implementation will depend on coordination among education, child-protection, law-enforcement and digital-policy institutions. Public consultation with parents, children, teachers and technology specialists would help identify practical risks and avoid rules that are difficult to enforce.
The Government has not yet announced a final timeline, legal structure or budget for the programme.
