India Considers Social Media Restrictions for Children Amid Growing Concerns

Fri Feb 06 2026 01:20:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid increasing parental concerns and ongoing debates, Indian lawmakers are looking into potential bans on social media for minors, citing a recent Australian law as a reference.

In response to rising concerns over children's social media use, Indian lawmakers are examining the feasibility of imposing age restrictions similar to Australia's recent ban on most social media platforms for children under 16. While some sectors have welcomed this initiative, experts highlight significant challenges in enforcement, compliance, and the underlying issues of parental engagement. The debate continues as lawmakers navigate between safety and individual freedoms.

A debate around banning social media for children under 16 is gaining momentum in India, with ministers in several states reviewing legislation akin to a newly implemented law in Australia.

Recent statements from ministers in two southern states suggest that a ban could effectively keep children away from social media. Additionally, last week's Economic Survey, drafted by India's chief economic adviser, called for the federal government to consider age-based limits on social media usage by minors. Although these recommendations are not compulsory, they may influence future policy.

However, experts caution that instituting such a ban poses considerable challenges in the Indian context, potentially facing legal obstacles. Australia is the first nation to enforce a comprehensive age verification system for social media access, mandating that platforms disable accounts belonging to users who do not meet the age threshold.

The proposal for a similar restriction in India was brought forward by LSK Devarayalu, a lawmaker from Andhra Pradesh's governing Telugu Desam Party. Although his private member's bill might not become law, it is likely to shape legislative discussions.

The Andhra Pradesh government has also assembled a task force to inspect global regulatory frameworks, inviting major platforms for consultations, which remains unanswered so far.

Concerns over excessive social media use among children were echoed by Nara Lokesh, the Information Technology Minister of Andhra Pradesh, who remarked on the impact of technology on children's attention spans and educational outcomes, emphasizing communal efforts to create a safer online exposure.

Officials from other Indian states, such as Goa and Karnataka, have similarly expressed interest in assessing the viability of social media bans, weighing the responsibilities surrounding artificial intelligence alongside digital engagement initiatives.

Despite the increasing dialog around bans, digital rights advocates highlight the complexities involved, particularly considerations regarding age verification, compliance challenges, and potential evasive tactics like children using false information to access restricted platforms.

Ultimately, while the questionnaire acknowledges the issue at hand, experts argue that clear solutions need to encompass greater parental involvement rather than merely restricting children’s access to social media platforms.