President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Government is considering introducing restrictions on social media use by children under the age of 16 in the Maldives.

Speaking to journalists at a press briefing on Monday, President Dr Muizzu said the Government is working on measures to restrict children under 16 from accessing certain social media platforms.

The President stated that the proposed restrictions would be developed using benchmarks established by Australia, which recently introduced legislation aimed at limiting social media access for minors.

President Dr Muizzu said the Maldives, as a close-knit society founded on Islamic values and principles, must take proactive steps to address challenges affecting its youth. He noted that a number of countries have begun implementing similar measures and stressed the importance of adopting policies that safeguard children from emerging online threats.

Describing the initiative as an important step towards protecting young people, the President said concerns surrounding children's use of social media have long been raised by parents and guardians.

Highlighting the risks associated with social media, President Dr Muizzu said children are increasingly exposed to harmful online content and behaviour. He identified cyberbullying as one of the most serious threats facing young users, warning that it can have lasting effects on their wellbeing and future development.

The President emphasised the need to create a safer online environment for children and said the planned measures are intended to reduce the risks they face while using digital platforms.