Sri Lanka to introduce new laws to protect children from social media exploitation

Newswire reports that Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is working on laws and rules to stop parents and other adults from using children to attract social media attention or earn money. Ada Derana and Ada Derana (සිංහල) also report that new legislation is planned to prevent children’s misuse on social platforms.

Newswire reports that Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the initiative responds to concerns about adults exposing children to hazards and unsuitable material for online recognition or financial benefit. The ministry’s reported examples include bringing children to unsafe places, prompting them to speak obscenely, featuring them in material aimed at adults and showing them sexually explicit content.

Newswire reports that Paulraj said parents must not undermine children’s privacy, and that choices about seeking public exposure online should wait until a person is an adult and mature enough to decide. She cautioned that children placed in serious danger through their parents’ social media conduct may be considered in need of protection, and that protective guardianship could be needed in some cases.

Newswire reports that the ministry and the National Child Protection Authority are developing media guidelines intended to support a child-friendly environment. A panel of experts has prepared the guidance, which is at its final stage and expected to be introduced soon. Newswire also reports that France and California in the United States have adopted measures concerning the commercial use of children on social media, often called kidfluencing.