Deputy Women and Child Affairs Minister Dr Namal Sudarshana said the Government is looking at an age-based regulatory approach to children’s social media and phone usage, rather than imposing an outright ban for those under 15.

Fielding questions from The Daily Morning yesterday (26), Dr  Sudarshana said the proposal raised in Parliament by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, calling for a social media ban on children under 15 years of age, had to be considered with care.

He said the issue is complex and needs broader consultations before any final decision can be reached. He said that discussions have already been held under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Education Minister with the participation of the Digital Economy Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Women and Child Affairs Ministry, non-governmental organisations and international organisations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund.