Opposition lawmaker Harshana Rajakaruna said he plans to submit a private member’s bill to Parliament this week seeking amendments to Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Act to strengthen protections for children on social media platforms.
He said the proposed amendment to the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, will focus on safeguarding children from online harm, including measures to verify users’ ages, require parental consent, assess child safety risks, and address harassment and harmful content on social media and several other important aspects.
Rajakaruna said many countries have already introduced laws to reduce online harassment targeting children, but Sri Lanka has yet to implement adequate safeguards. As a responsible opposition, Rajakaruna said his party intends to formally request Parliament to consider such legislation.
He urged the government to consider the bill without political divisions, stressing that child protection should remain a shared priority. He called for Parliament to act swiftly to approve the proposed amendments.
Rajakaruna also raised concerns about the negative impact of excessive social media use on children, noting increased exposure to harmful content and reduced social interaction that often leads to unchecked access, which could affect children’s long-term development. (Newswire)
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