New Petition Seeks Restrictions on Children’s Access to Social Media
New online petition urges parliament to restrict social media access for children | Photo: MV+
A new online petition has been submitted to the People’s Majlis calling for a ban on social‑media use by children under the age of 16.
The petition was filed through Parliament’s newly launched electronic petition system. The first petition submitted through the portal on Monday addressed concerns over people wearing revealing clothing, including bikinis, in public spaces. The latest submission marks the second petition lodged since the portal’s launch.
The petition highlights that Maldivian children are increasingly using mobile phones and other devices to access platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, often without parental supervision. It argues that these platforms expose minors to inappropriate language and behaviour, and calls for legislation and regulations to be updated in response.
It proposes amending laws to prevent children under 16 from accessing social‑media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok, as well as certain newspapers and websites that allow anonymous posting. The petition also recommends providing counselling or guidance for children and parents if minors continue using social media after such laws are enacted, and suggests granting the Gender Ministry authority to intervene in cases of repeated violations.
The petition further calls for a ban on mobile phones in schools and colleges. As of today, it had received 19 signatures. Under Parliament’s rules, a petition must gather at least 500 signatures to proceed, or it must be sponsored by a member of Parliament if it falls short.
At the start of the current academic year, the government prohibited students below Grade 10 from bringing mobile phones to school, while those in Grades 11 and 12 are required to keep phones in lockers during class hours.
The move reflects a broader global trend, with many countries tightening regulations on children’s digital exposure through age‑based restrictions, parental‑control requirements, and limits on social‑media access for minors.
