The COVID-19 pandemic’s forced transition to online education has inadvertently exposed Bhutan’s children to unprecedented digital risks, highlighting a critical gap in our legal framework. It is deeply concerning that schools continue to use social media platforms for educational purposes without adequate safeguards after COVID-19, all in the name of hybrid learning. The current Information, Communication and Media Act 2018 falls woefully short of protecting our youth from the myriad dangers lurking in the digital sphere.

The pandemic-driven shift to online learning created an unexpected surge in social media usage among students, as schools rapidly adopted these platforms for homework assignments and educational communication. While this digital transition was necessary during the crisis, it has created lasting challenges that demand immediate legislative attention.

The consequences of this unregulated digital exposure are particularly alarming and issue of cyber bullying are increasing. Studies on the impacts of smartphones reveal dual concerns: physical safety and mental health effects. While the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified mobile phone radiation as “possibly carcinogenic” in 2011, research shows mixed results— a large Danish study found no clear links to cancer, although scientists have observed changes in brain activity, sleep patterns, and reaction times. Of potentially greater immediate concern are the documented mental health impacts, particularly among young people. Since smartphones and social media became widespread, there has been an alarming surge in adolescent depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicide rates, with suicide becoming the leading cause of death for ages 13-14 and the second-leading cause for ages 15-24 in the U.S. The situation has become so severe that both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC have issued emergency warnings, with the CDC reporting that nearly half of high school students feel persistently “sad or hopeless,” particularly affecting LGBTQ and female teens. Countries like Australia are considering legislation to ban social media for youth, while several U.S. states have implemented laws and also compelling social media companies to adopt strict measures to protect children from harmful effects.

The financial implications of this digital transition have also deepened educational inequalities. Bhutan’s expensive internet services, combined with rising living costs and minimal income levels among the majority, have created a substantial digital divide. Many families struggle to provide the necessary devices and internet access for their children’s education, placing an undue burden on our most vulnerable communities.

To address these challenges, our Parliament must enact comprehensive national social media legislation. Such legislation may include the incorporation of mandatory social media literacy and digital wellness education in school curricula. This should encompass age-appropriate instruction on responsible technology use, mental health awareness, and critical thinking skills.

The legislations should impose duties on schools to implement strict device management policies, including secure phone storage facilities and controlled internet access that restricts social media use except for authorized educational purposes under supervision. The bill should also prohibit predatory service features targeting youth by service providers, such as late-night schemes, and implement mandatory quiet hours for youth-focused digital services.

The establishment of such legislation would position us as a pioneer in youth-centred digital safety while aligning with our commitment to Gross National Happiness. We cannot afford to wait as our children’s mental and physical well-being hangs in the balance. The time for legislative action is now, before the digital risks facing our youth become insurmountable challenges for our society.

Sonam Tshering

Lawyer, Thimphu

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are author’s own