Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to prohibit children under 16 from accessing specific social media platforms to safeguard them from online risks like cyberbullying and grooming. The decision comes in response to growing concerns among parents in the Maldives and globally regarding children’s online safety. The government intends to model the new policy after regulations in countries like Australia, aiming to collaborate with tech companies to align their services with Maldivian laws.
The proposed ban will focus on applications deemed hazardous for minors, with the government seeking to engage with platform owners and technology firms for implementation. Muizzu emphasized that while the measure will necessitate amendments to existing cyber safety laws, it will not impede children’s educational opportunities but rather enhance the digital environment’s security. The regulatory framework is expected to be finalized within a year following public consultations, as reported by PSM News.
Following Australia’s lead, the Maldives is set to join in restricting social media access for individuals under 16, mirroring Canberra’s ban introduced last year. Australia’s initial enforcement of the under-16 social media ban resulted in the deactivation of over 4.7 million accounts owned by minors within days. The Australian government is currently scrutinizing five social media platforms for potential non-compliance with the groundbreaking regulations, including imposing fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for failure to prevent underage access.
