A Study on the Impact of the Online Safety Act No. 09 Of 2024 on Social Media Content Creators

In response to the growing challenges of online misinformation, abuse, and digital harm, the Sri Lankan government enacted the Online Safety Act No. 09 of 2024. While the Act aims to regulate harmful content and promote safer online spaces, this study critically evaluates its impact on social media content creators, a group particularly affected by the legal ambiguities and enforcement provisions. Through a mixed-methods research design, data were gathered via an online survey of 100 content creators and 20 in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that 65% of respondents have modified their content strategies, and 45% reported engaging in self-censorship due to concerns over violating the Act. Sensitive topics such as politics, religion, and national security were the most avoided areas, driven by fear of prosecution under broadly defined terms like “false statements” and “religious feelings. “Interview data further highlighted the vagueness of legal terminology, which fosters uncertainty and a chilling effect, particularly among creators working in satire, political critique, and social commentary. Provisions such as Section 18 (online personation) were also seen as problematic, especially for influencers using pseudonyms or creative personas, who now face added risk of misinterpretation. While some creators expressed support for aspects of the Act that address incitement and digital violence, many fear it may be used to suppress dissent and curtail digital activism. The study concludes that although the Act has merits in regulating harmful content, it poses significant threats to freedom of expression if not revised for greater clarity and fairness. Recommendations include clearer legal definitions, protective mechanisms for legitimate critique, and stakeholder-inclusive reforms. These steps are vital to preserving the integrity of Sri Lanka’s digital discourse and ensuring content creators can operate freely within a democratic online environment.