Ministry Urges Media and Public to Uphold Children’s Privacy Under Law

The Ministry has strongly appealed to media outlets and the public to refrain from sharing photos or videos of children that could compromise their dignity, citing the Children’s Rights Protection Act.

Article 33 of Act No. 19/2019 explicitly prohibits the disclosure of personal information about children in a way that could harm them, including those accused of crimes. This includes publishing details such as names, addresses, educational information, or any other identifying data—directly or indirectly—through media or other platforms.

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The Ministry expressed deep concern over recent incidents where images and videos circulating on social media have allegedly revealed the identities of children, thereby breaching their rights and dignity. Such actions, it stated, not only contravene the law but also expose children to potential harm.

Reiterating the importance of safeguarding children’s rights, the Ministry called on all parties to avoid sharing such material and ensure compliance with legal protections designed to uphold the well-being and dignity of children.

ސީދާ ގޮތުން ނުވަތަ ނުސީދާގޮތުން ވިއަސް ކުޑަކުދިންގެ ޒާތީ މަޢުލޫމަތު ދެނެގަނެވޭނެފަދަ މަޢުލޫމާތު ތަކާއި މައްސަލަތަކާއި ގުޅުވައި ކުޑަކުދިންގެ ފޮޓޯ އަދި ވީޑިއޯ އާންމު ކުރަމުންދާތީ ދަންނަވަމެވެ. pic.twitter.com/ZVigImYUbc— Ministry of Social and Family Development (@MSFDmv) January 24, 2025

The Ministry issued a statement following the circulation of a video showing a child attempting to escape from a fifth-floor window of a building.

“A video has been circulating on social media showing a child trying to escape from a fifth-floor window of a building. We urge all parties to stop circulating this video and remove it,” the Maldives Police Service also stated in a press release. The police assured the public that necessary measures were being taken in relation to the incident.

The statement further highlighted the potential harm caused by sharing such videos, noting that it could expose the child and their family to public criticism and psychological distress. Moreover, the police emphasised that sharing such content could negatively impact not only the family but also viewers, particularly vulnerable individuals.

“In addition, we believe that such scenarios may trigger children or vulnerable people and put them at risk,” the statement read.

The police have urged anyone with information or concerns regarding this incident to contact them at 332-2111.