Former Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) member Duminda Dissanayake has called for a ban on social media use by children, raising concerns over its impact on mental health and social behaviour.
Speaking on the issue, Dissanayake said excessive use of mobile phones and social media platforms has weakened interpersonal communication, even within families.
“People no longer talk to each other during commutes or at the family dinner table. Everyone is focused on their phones. This is harmful to children’s mental health,” he said.
He further noted that several developed countries have already begun introducing legislation to regulate screen time and limit social media access for minors.
“As a party, we propose a social media ban for children. There have been multiple instances where children have misused these platforms,” Dissanayake stated, urging the government to take decisive action to protect children’s wellbeing.
His remarks come amid growing local and global debate on the regulation of digital platforms and their influence on younger generations.
