A petition has been submitted to the parliament calling for amendments to the laws and regulations to ban the use of social media for children under the age of 16.

The petition, filed by Ali Anim Mufeed, said that children use social media through mobile phones and other devices and that parents have difficulties in monitoring their online activities.

According to the petition, children are learning obscene language and immoral behaviour from YouTube, TikTok and other platforms. The petition said the legal system should be strengthened to keep pace with the changes in technology.

It proposed amending the laws to ban children under 16 from accessing platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube and TikTok, and anonymous social websites, counselling parents and children if children use social media illegally and giving special investigative powers to the Gender Ministry.

The petition also called for a rule banning students' carrying mobile phones to schools and colleges.

According to the ruling People's National Congress (PNC)'s amendment to the rules of procedure, a petition must be signed by 500 people.

If the e-petitions submitted through the portal have 500 signatures, the Petitions Committee must review the matter.

An e-petition was earlier submitted to the parliament to stop tourists and foreigners from wearing bikinis in public places in local islands.