The government is considering restricting access to social media for children under the age of 12, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Savithri Paulraj stated.
Minister Paulraj noted that discussions on the matter have already begun. She added that the government has proposed a complete ban on mobile phone usage for children under 12, alongside measures to prevent their access to social media platforms.
Highlighting global trends, Minister Paulraj said several countries have already introduced laws limiting social media use among schoolchildren, and Sri Lanka is examining similar models. She emphasized that the need for such restrictions has arisen due to an increase in morally harmful and abusive incidents linked to children’s internet usage.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to introduce new legislation to address cybercrimes targeting children, which has already received Cabinet approval.
Data from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) underscores the urgency of these measures. In 2025, the NCPA received a total of 10,455 complaints related to children. Of these, 8,514 complaints fell under the NCPA Act, while 1,941 were outside its direct mandate.
Among the reported cases, 545 involved sexual harassment, 231 involved severe sexual abuse, 79 teenage pregnancies, and three abortions. Additionally, the Authority recorded nine child marriages, 38 incidents of rape, 150 cases of cyber abuse targeting children, and 20 attempts of child suicide.
The NCPA also reported 42 complaints concerning children without birth certificates and nine cases of children under five being left behind due to parental migration.
“These figures highlight ongoing concerns about child safety and protection in Sri Lanka, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and intervention,” the NCPA noted.
