The Indian Ocean archipelago joins a growing global movement to restrict children’s access to digital platforms, as President Mohamed Muizzu cites online child grooming, cyberbullying and anti-Islamic content.
The Maldives will introduce a nationwide ban on the use of social media for children under the age of 16 within the coming year, President Mohamed Muizzu has announced on Tuesday.
Speaking on the decision, the president said the restriction was necessary due to rising concerns over the online grooming of minors, cyberbullying, and exposure to content that contradicts Islamic values. He described the measure as an essential guarantee for the welfare of both children and Maldivian society as a whole.
A statement on the president’s official website read: “The president presented this as a significant step in protecting the youth from the dangers of an increasingly globalised world. This step reflects the administration’s commitment to human capital development, but does not signal a rejection of digitalisation or a disruption of children’s education system.”
Meanwhile, Norway is preparing a draft law that would also prohibit children under 16 from using social media. The bill is expected to be submitted to parliament by the end of 2026.
Similar restrictions are spreading across the globe. Australia, for example, introduced a minimum age of 16 for social media use after passing a corresponding law in December. Since then, France, Indonesia, Austria, Spain, Turkey, Denmark, Malaysia, Greece, Poland and Slovenia have either begun considering or have already implemented comparable measures.
