02 June,2026 12:56 PM IST | Male | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image
The Maldives government is preparing to introduce restrictions on social media access for children under the age of 16 as part of efforts to protect young users from cyberbullying, online grooming and other digital threats.
President Mohamed Muizzu announced the proposal during a weekly press conference on Monday, stating that concerns about children's online safety have become increasingly significant for families in the Maldives and around the world.
According to state media reports, the government intends to study international models before finalising the policy, with Australia emerging as a key reference point due to its recently implemented age-based social media restrictions.
Speaking about the proposed measures, Muizzu said the government is focusing on creating a safer digital environment for children without limiting their educational opportunities.
He noted that parents and educators have raised concerns about the potential harms associated with unrestricted access to social media platforms, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content and online exploitation.
The president said the planned restrictions are aimed at reducing these risks while ensuring that children can continue to access educational resources and learning opportunities available online.
According to the government, the proposal is part of a broader effort to strengthen child protection measures in the digital space.
Muizzu indicated that the proposed restrictions would apply to selected social media applications considered to pose risks to children and teenagers.
The government plans to consult technology companies and social media platform operators before implementing the new framework.
Officials will also work with platform owners to ensure their services comply with Maldivian laws and regulations concerning child safety and online access.
The president said detailed discussions would be held with stakeholders before the policy is finalised.
The proposed ban will require amendments to existing cyber safety and digital governance laws in the Maldives.
Authorities are expected to conduct public consultations and gather feedback from parents, educators, technology experts and civil society groups before introducing the new regulations.
According to reports, the government aims to complete the policy framework and implement the restrictions within the next year.
Officials have stated that the consultation process will help determine how age verification and enforcement mechanisms can be implemented effectively.
If implemented, the Maldives would become one of the few countries to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16.
Australia became the first country to adopt such a measure after announcing age-based restrictions on social media access last year.
The Australian government introduced laws requiring social media companies to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from accessing their platforms.
Companies that fail to comply with the regulations can face substantial financial penalties.
According to data released by Australia's eSafety Commissioner, more than 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to users under the age of 16 were deactivated in the days following the implementation of the country's social media ban.
The restrictions came into effect on December 10, resulting in large-scale account removals across major platforms.
Australian authorities have described the move as part of a broader effort to improve online safety and reduce children's exposure to harmful digital content.
Australia's regulator is also investigating several social media companies over concerns regarding compliance with the new laws.
In a recent report, the eSafety Commissioner said there were significant concerns about whether some major platforms had taken adequate steps to prevent underage users from accessing their services.
The investigation reportedly includes major social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Under Australian law, companies that fail to implement reasonable safeguards against underage access can face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.
As the Maldives moves forward with its proposal, policymakers are expected to closely examine the effectiveness and challenges of Australia's approach while developing a framework tailored to local requirements and child safety concerns.
(With inputs from IANS)
