Sri Lanka is currently at a pivotal moment in its digital journey. Two significant pieces of legislation are reshaping the online landscape, sparking intense debate about how best to protect citizens particularly the younger generation while safeguarding fundamental freedoms. The proposed “Social Media Minimum Age Bill” and the controversial “Online Safety Act” represent two very different approaches to internet regulation and both have profound implications for the country’s future.
Protecting Children: The Social Media Minimum Age Bill
The proposed social media Minimum Age Bill seeks to restrict access to social media platforms for children under 16. Introduced by Opposition MP Faiszer Musthapha, this Private Member’s Bill aims to shield young users from harmful online content, cyberbullying and the mental health impacts associated with excessive screen time.
The urgency is understandable. The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) recorded 286 complaints related to children in obscene publications in 2024 alone, alongside 85 cyberbullying cases by May 2026. Parents report children suffering from sleep deprivation, declining academic performance and addiction-like behavior linked to social media overuse.
The Bill would empower the Minister of Child Affairs to introduce regulations requiring internet service providers and social media platforms to prevent access by underage users. It could also impose limits on daily usage time and restrict access hours, with an Authorized Commissioner under the NCPA appointed to monitor compliance.
However, critics raise valid concerns. Research from Australia, which implemented similar restrictions, shows nearly 80% of children still access platforms through VPNs or fake accounts. Dr. Thushari Atapattu of Adelaide University noted that while some families report fewer digital distractions, behavioral change takes time and enforcement remains a significant challenge.
Mental health professionals also caution against viewing social media as the sole culprit. Dr. Anuradha Herath, a child and adolescent psychiatrist from the University of Colombo, emphasizes that social media’s effects are complex like anxiety, depression and low self-esteem often interact with family environment, academic pressures and pre-existing conditions.
The Online Safety Act: A Controversial Framework
The Online Safety Act, enacted in February 2024, has been perhaps even more contentious. It establishes the Online Safety Commission, appointed by the President, with powers to handle complaints and initiate criminal proceedings. The Act creates broad offences, including communicating false statements that promote hostility that carrying penalties of up to 500,000 rupees and five years’ imprisonment.
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has urged repeal or substantial revision, arguing the Act undermines human rights and creates a chilling effect on free expression. Rights groups warn the legislation could suppress democratic dissent and censor criticism of the government.
The first arrest under the Act occurred shortly after enactment and authorities have since invoked it to accuse individuals of spreading vaguely defined “prohibited statements”. In a notable case, media companies Hiru and News Center went to court over a news broadcast alleged to have damaged reputation then the initial ruling was later overturned, demonstrating the interpretive challenges enforcement authorities face.
A New Direction?
The government has acknowledged these concerns. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration, which opposed the Act while in opposition, has committed to replacing it with a substantially revised framework. The Cabinet has approved drafting a replacement Bill and a committee involving the Ministries of Justice, Mass Media and Public Security is reviewing amendments.
Public consultations are being called for, signaling a more transparent approach than the expedited passage of the original Act, which faced 45 Supreme Court petitions challenging its constitutionality.
Finding the Balance
Both pieces of legislation reflect genuine public concerns. The rise in online offences against children, the spread of misinformation and the mental health challenges of the digital age demand thoughtful responses. Yet the debate reveals a fundamental tension: How does Sri Lanka protect its citizens without creating tools that could be used to silence dissent or surveil the population?
The answer likely lies in a combination of approaches like effective regulation of platform design, strong data protection, education on digital literacy and carefully targeted legislation that addresses specific harms without overreach. As Amnesty International argues, targeting manipulative platform features like infinite scroll and autoplay may be more effective than blanket age restrictions.
What young people themselves think matters too. Amnesty International gathered perspectives from young activists globally, who warned that prohibition often bans opportunity rather than danger and that genuine solutions require addressing root causes rather than imposing simple restrictions.
As Sri Lanka navigates this complex terrain, the coming months will be crucial. The debate on the Online Safety (Repeal) Bill has already taken place in Parliament and the social media Minimum Age Bill continues to be discussed. For Sri Lanka’s young generation, the outcome will shape not just their online experiences but their fundamental rights in an increasingly digital world.
Written By: –
Rtr. Adithyaya Kawindi
(Senior Blog Team Member 2025-26)
Designed By: –
Rtr. Pesandi Senawatta
(Senior Blog Team Member 2026-27)
