The President of the Sri Lanka Community Specialist Medical Association, Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, has announced plans to urge policymakers to introduce laws restricting or banning social media use for children under 18. He stated that similar measures have already been implemented in several other countries to protect young people from online harm.
Speaking at a media conference held at the Sri Lanka Medical Association Auditorium on January 30, Dr. Jayaratne highlighted concerns that social media may be contributing to the increasing number of suicides among children and teenagers. According to unofficial data, nearly 200 children under the age of 18 committed suicide last year. He emphasized that social media exposure could be a significant factor behind this alarming trend, warranting urgent action.
Dr. Jayaratne also addressed broader concerns regarding child health in Sri Lanka. He stated that while approximately 313,000 women become pregnant in the country each year, only about 250,000 live births are recorded. Despite these births, not all children grow into healthy adults due to various health challenges. He pointed out that around 3,300 children under the age of five die annually due to various causes, and nearly 30% of Sri Lankan children suffer from obesity.
Additionally, Dr. Jayaratne spoke about the need to enforce the Colombo Declaration, a policy aimed at preventing stillbirths and allowing the termination of fetuses with fatal birth defects. He noted that despite 20 years of effort, implementing this declaration remains a challenge. He stressed the importance of strengthening policies and laws to improve child welfare and healthcare in Sri Lanka.
