Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education has issued a directive to media outlets prohibiting the recording and publication of children's statements without parental or guardian approval, following incidents where scholarship exam candidates faced online ridicule.
The Ministry of Education has cautioned television channels and media organizations against interviewing or recording comments from children without explicit permission from parents, guardians, or teachers. The directive comes after concerns emerged regarding Grade 5 Scholarship Examination candidates who participated in media interviews and subsequently faced mockery on social media platforms.
According to the Ministry, several instances have been documented where remarks made by children following this year's examination were recorded, quoted, and shared online in ways that subjected them to ridicule. Officials emphasized that media organizations lack the authority to obtain, record, or broadcast statements from minors without securing prior consent from those responsible for their welfare.
The Education Ministry has cautioned that media outlets responsible for releasing such content on social media platforms may face legal consequences for breaching protocols involving children. The warning reflects growing concerns about child protection in the digital age and the potential harm caused by unrestricted sharing of children's statements online.
