President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms in the Maldives through new legislation modeled on measures being implemented in Australia.
Speaking to reporters, the President said the government’s primary objective is to establish a robust system that prevents minors below the age threshold from creating and accessing social media accounts. He noted that the policy is aimed at strengthening child protection and aligns with measures already being adopted in several developed countries.
President Muizzu said the government intends to complete the necessary legal framework and regulations within this year, with the goal of beginning implementation once the required laws are in place.
According to the President, the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding children from potential harms associated with social media use while ensuring stronger protections for younger users in the digital space.
