– Because protecting your child starts online.
In 2025, our children are growing up online — from YouTube and TikTok to WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Classroom, and mobile games. While the internet brings knowledge and creativity, it also opens the door to digital threats that many Sri Lankan parents are still unaware of.
Cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online predators, gaming addiction, and data exploitation are real risks facing children in Sri Lanka — even in households with strict parenting.
This guide is designed to educate, empower, and equip Sri Lankan parents to take control of their child’s digital life before it’s too late.
🎯 Why Cyber Safety Matters More Than Ever in Sri Lanka
- 📱 Smartphone usage among children aged 6–16 has doubled since 2020
- 🏫 Online tuition, exams, and homework are now common — even in rural areas
- 🌐 Many kids own personal devices or unsupervised access
- 🚨 National CERT (Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team) reports a rise in child-targeted phishing and harassment cases
🔍 In short: The risks are increasing, but awareness is lagging behind.
⚠️ 1. Common Online Threats Faced by Children in Sri Lanka
👥 a) Cyberbullying
- Mean messages, threats, or rumors via WhatsApp, Instagram, or game chats
- Can cause anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from studies
📊 CERT reports that 1 in 5 Sri Lankan teens experience online bullying before age 16
🔞 b) Exposure to Inappropriate Content
- Accidental or intentional access to violence, pornography, or drug-related content
- Common platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Telegram groups, Reddit, and unfiltered search engines
💬 c) Online Grooming & Predators
- Strangers posing as “friends” on Instagram, games, or even Zoom tuition groups
- Can lead to sharing of personal photos, blackmail, or worse
🎮 d) Addiction to Games & Screen Time
- Gaming for 4–10 hours daily (often late at night)
- Sleep issues, poor grades, and aggressive behavior may follow
🛑 e) Scams, Phishing & Data Theft
- Fake scholarship links, gaming vouchers, or “free diamonds” in games
- Children unknowingly share personal info, OTPs, or banking data
🧠 2. What Sri Lankan Parents Must Understand
| Myth | Reality |
| “My child is too young for these risks” | Kids as young as 8 have been cyberbullied or targeted |
| “I monitor their phone” | Most kids hide usage via dual apps or delete histories |
| “They’re just playing games” | Games often include chat features, friend requests, and ads |
| “We live in a village, it’s safe” | Online risks are location-independent |
🎯 Parents must engage, not spy — and build digital trust alongside boundaries.
🛡️ 3. Practical Cyber Safety Measures for Sri Lankan Families
✅ a) Use Parental Control Apps & Tools
| Tool | Platform | Features |
| Google Family Link | Android | App monitoring, screen limits, web filters |
| Apple Screen Time | iOS | Time limits, app block, activity reports |
| YouTube Kids | Android/iOS | Safe curated videos for children |
| Safe Search | Chrome/Google | Filters explicit content from search |
💡 Enable these tools during initial device setup, not after problems occur.
✅ b) Talk Early — and Often
- Start conversations about online safety as early as age 7–8
- Encourage kids to report any uncomfortable or suspicious messages
- Avoid overreaction — stay approachable
👂 Kids are more likely to open up if they don’t fear punishment.
✅ c) Keep Devices in Shared Spaces
- Avoid personal devices in bedrooms or closed spaces
- Set rules like:
- “No phones after 9PM”
- “Online only in common areas”
📵 Studies show this reduces secret browsing, chat risks, and screen addiction
✅ d) Set Screen Time Boundaries
| Age Group | Recommended Daily Screen Time (UNICEF) |
| 5–8 years | 1 hour max |
| 9–12 years | 2 hours max |
| 13–18 years | 2–3 hours (excluding school use) |
📱 Use built-in screen time reports to monitor and reset limits weekly.
✅ e) Know What Apps They Use
Popular risky platforms in Sri Lanka:
- TikTok
- Free Fire / PUBG / Roblox (with chat features)
- Telegram (used to share +18 content)
- Omegle-like anonymous chat apps
🧠 Parents should install and explore these apps themselves to understand the features and risks.
✅ f) Protect Sensitive Data
- Teach kids never to share:
- NIC, phone numbers, school name
- Home address or photos in uniform
- Family financial info
🔐 Setup 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) on social apps and devices
✅ g) Report & Block Threats
Encourage kids to:
- Block strangers immediately
- Report abuse via app reporting features
- Take screenshots if they’re being harassed
👨💻 If serious, contact:
- Sri Lanka CERT: [email protected]
- Police CID Cyber Crime Unit
🧰 4. LankaFix Parental Cyber Toolkit (Recommended Setup)
| Device/Tool | Why It Helps |
| Entry-level smartphones with Family Link | Full control, app restrictions |
| Router with web filtering (e.g. TP-Link Archer C6) | Blocks adult content by default |
| Shared family YouTube / Google account | Easier monitoring & history access |
| Smart TV restrictions enabled | Prevents access to adult apps/web |
| Night-time internet cutoff (router timer) | Forces offline sleep hours |
📞 Need help configuring any of these? LankaFix offers remote and home visit services.
🏠 5. Build a Safe Digital Culture at Home
- Make tech-free zones (like dinner table, bedtime)
- Watch or play games together occasionally
- Keep digital discussions as normal as school or health talk
- Reward responsible online behavior with trust and freedom
🧠 Your child is not just a digital native — they are a digital learner. And you are their first and best guide.
📚 Sources
- UNICEF Sri Lanka: Digital Parenting
- Sri Lanka CERT – Online Safety Alerts
- Google Family Link Guide
- Cyber Crime Division – Sri Lanka Police
- LankaFix Child Safety Workshop Survey (2024–2025)
🎯 Final Words
The internet is powerful — but parenting must be more powerful.
Cyber safety in 2025 is not about blocking your kids. It’s about building a smarter connection with them — both online and offline.
Start early. Talk openly. Guide wisely.
📞 Want help setting up parental controls or digital boundaries at home?
Visit www.lankafix.com or call 071 988 8848
We offer home setup packages and safety workshops for parents.
