India Debates Social Media Ban for Teens as Global Concerns Grow

Post by : Saif Nasser

India has joined a growing global debate on whether children should be allowed to use social media. A close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a new law that would ban social media use for children under the age of 16. The move has sparked discussion across the country, especially as concerns rise about online addiction, safety, and data use.

The proposal comes from L.S.K. Devarayalu, a lawmaker from the Telugu Desam Party. His party governs the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and plays a key role in supporting Modi’s coalition government at the national level. Devarayalu said children are becoming overly dependent on social media platforms, which can harm their mental health and well-being.

He also raised concerns about how foreign technology companies use data from Indian users. According to him, India produces huge amounts of online data that help global companies build advanced artificial intelligence systems. He argued that Indian users, including children, are unknowingly providing valuable data without gaining long-term economic or strategic benefits.

The proposed Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill would make it illegal for anyone under 16 to create or hold a social media account. If a child is found using such platforms, their account would be disabled. The bill places full responsibility on social media companies to verify users’ ages and prevent underage access.

India is one of the world’s largest digital markets, with around 750 million smartphones and nearly one billion internet users. Despite this, the country currently has no clear minimum age rule for social media use. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok have millions of young users across India.

The proposal follows similar steps taken in other countries. Australia recently became the first nation to ban social media for children under 16. France has backed a ban for children under 15, while countries such as Britain, Denmark, and Greece are studying possible restrictions. Supporters say these rules protect children, while critics warn they could limit free expression or push teens to unsafe platforms.

Major technology companies have reacted cautiously. Meta has said it supports parental control but warned that outright bans could drive teens toward unregulated and unsafe websites. Other companies have not yet commented on the Indian proposal.

Although Devarayalu’s bill is a private member’s bill and not introduced by the government, such proposals often lead to serious debate in Parliament. Recently, India’s chief economic adviser also spoke about the need to address digital addiction through age-based rules.

As social media becomes more deeply woven into daily life, India now faces a difficult question: how to protect children online while keeping the internet open and useful. The debate is likely to grow louder in the months ahead, both in India and around the world.