Growing calls in India to restrict children’s social media use

Debate over social media bans for children under 16

A debate around banning social media for children under 16 is gathering momentum in India, with ministers in several states saying they are examining Australia’s law curbing social media for children. The movement is seen as part of a broader global push to regulate children’s digital exposure.

Proposed legislation and government initiatives

An ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a bill to ban social media for children, highlighting concerns over digital addiction and the impact of online platforms on youth. The Economic Survey 2025-26 has also called on the government to implement age-based limits for social media usage for children and digital content.

India’s current regulatory framework

India currently has no nationwide ban on children using social media. Existing rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act provide some safeguards, but a comprehensive legal framework for restricting children’s social media use is still under discussion.

Public and expert concerns

Experts and ministers have raised concerns about rising social media addiction among students, calling for public discussions on how to regulate usage. The government is considering age-verification mechanisms and broader policy interventions to protect children from excessive screen time.

International comparisons

India is looking at Australia’s law, which ensures a ban on social media for children below the age of 16, as a model for potential policy development. This reflects a growing global trend of restricting children’s access to social media platforms.

來源：https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qpr37d84qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss