Editorial | Should Nepal restrict minors’ access to social media?
Summary
Globally, governments are imposing strict regulations to restrict minors' access to social media due to mental health risks, addictive design, and rising cybercrime. Nepal, facing a surge in cybercrime against children and mental health issues, lacks such legal protections and needs urgent policy reform.
Key Points
- Governments worldwide are enforcing bans on social media access for minors to address mental health and cybercrime concerns.
- Addictive social media designs and unrestricted access contribute to depression, anxiety, and risks like grooming among minors.
- South Asian countries like India have laws requiring parental consent and restrictions, but Nepal currently lacks minimum age regulations for social media.
- Nepal is experiencing a significant increase in cybercrime and mental health problems among minors, necessitating urgent legal action to protect children online.
