NEW DELHI — Growing concern over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, behaviour and safety has spurred intense debate across India, with lawmakers, state governments and child welfare advocates pushing for stricter limits on minors’ access to popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. The movement has gained momentum amid a global wave of similar discussions, from Australia’s high-profile ban to European proposals on age-based restrictions.
National Debate Intensifies After Economic Survey Flags Harms
India’s Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted the growing issue of digital addiction among children and young people, connecting excessive screen time to rising rates of anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep patterns and deteriorating academic performance. The report suggested that age-based access limits and stronger platform accountability should be considered to protect minors from online harms.
Chief economic adviser **V. Anantha Nageswaran described social media platforms as “predatory” in their engagement-driven designs, particularly targeting users aged 15-24, and urged families and policymakers to promote healthier screen-time habits and offline activities.
Lawmakers Push for Age Restrictions and Bans
In response to these concerns, a parliamentarian aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a private member’s bill that would prohibit social media account creation and use by individuals under the age of 16 — a measure that, if enacted, would position India among the most restrictive markets for minors’ digital access. The proposed Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill includes penalties for platforms that fail to comply, potentially hitting major technology companies with fines of up to ₹2.5 billion or 5 per cent of global revenue.
Although private member’s bills rarely become law on their own, they are expected to trigger broader parliamentary debate and shape future legislative action.
States Consider Australia-Style Restrictions
Several Indian states are also actively exploring age-based restrictions on children’s social media use. Goa’s Information Technology department is studying the Australia-style ban on under-16s, which came into force in December 2025 and has already seen millions of teen accounts deactivated. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh has assembled a task force of ministers to examine legal frameworks for implementing similar controls and invited major platforms such as Meta, Google and X to discussions on global best practices.
State officials argue such laws could help curb “relentless usage” among children, which they say undermines attention spans, disrupts learning and exposes young users to harmful content.
Parental and Public Voices Amplify Concerns
Public figures and civil society groups have amplified calls for tighter controls. After a tragic incident involving young teens in Ghaziabad, Bollywood actor **Sonu Sood urged stronger restrictions on children’s access to social media and online gaming, calling for deeper parental engagement to counter rising digital pressures.
Parents, educators and psychologists have raised alarms about cyberbullying, online grooming, identity theft and addictive platform design, emphasising that unrestricted social media usage can interfere with emotional development and offline social connections.
Challenges Around Enforcement and Digital Rights
Experts warn that imposing legal bans or age-based restrictions will present significant technical and legal challenges. Age verification remains difficult, particularly in a country where shared devices are common and robust digital identity systems are not universal. Critics also argue that restricting access may push children toward unregulated or underground online spaces, potentially increasing risks.
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which currently defines children as individuals under 18 and restricts processing of their data without parental consent, contains provisions aimed at protecting minors online, but implementation of the law’s full rules may take years to complete.
India’s Role in Global Trend
India’s debate over children’s social media use is part of a broader global trend. Countries such as Australia, Spain, France, Britain and Denmark are considering or implementing age-based limits or bans in response to concerns that social media platforms can negatively affect young people’s well-being. Observers note that India’s position is particularly consequential due to its massive user base — Facebook and Instagram each have hundreds of millions of users there — making the stakes high for both public policy and global tech companies.
Next Steps and Policy Outlook
As the conversation continues, policymakers, educators and digital safety advocates are calling for a comprehensive strategy that balances child welfare with digital access rights. Suggestions include mandatory age verification, parental control tools, platform design reforms and peer education programmes, alongside legislative measures.
Whether India ultimately enacts binding age-based restrictions or passes federal legislation remains uncertain, but the growing pressure signals a pivotal moment in how the country — and perhaps much of the world — approaches children’s relationship with social media and technology.
7 years in the field, from local radio to digital newsrooms. Loves chasing the stories that matter to everyday Aussies – whether it’s climate, cost of living or the next big thing in tech.
