Private member's bill seeks to restrict social media for children

A Private Member's Bill aimed at barring children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms has been submitted to Parliament.

President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha handed the proposed Social Media Minimum Age Bill to the Secretary General of Parliament on Wednesday.

The draft legislation seeks to protect minors from harmful online content by empowering the Minister of Child Affairs to regulate internet service providers and social media companies.

Under the proposed framework, platforms could be forced to block access to under-16s, limit daily screen time, or restrict usage to specific hours.

Enforcement and monitoring would be overseen by an Authorised Commissioner appointed under the National Child Protection Authority.