India Considers Restricting Children's Access to Social Media

Thu Feb 05 2026 07:13:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the debate on regulating social media intensifies, Indian states explore the feasibility of a ban for children under 16, inspired by recent legislative actions in Australia.

A growing dialogue in India is examining potential restrictions on social media use for children, amidst concerns about its impact on education and mental health. Inspired by Australia's recent ban, ministers in several Indian states are assessing the viability and legal challenges of similar legislation. However, experts caution that enforcing such a ban would pose significant hurdles.

A debate around banning social media for children under 16 is gathering momentum in India, with ministers in several states studying a law that recently came into effect in Australia.

Ministers in at least two southern states have recently noted their commitment to explore a ban as a means of protecting children from the potential risks associated with social media.

The Economic Survey, an annual report led by India's chief economic adviser, has suggested that the federal government should consider age-based limits on social media use.

Experts warn, however, that enforcing such a ban could prove challenging in India and may encounter legal obstacles.

Australia recently became the first country to ban most social media platforms for children under 16, mandating that platforms verify users' ages and disable accounts of minors.

This move faced backlash from social media companies, who expressed reluctance towards the new regulations.

In India, lawmakers like LSK Devarayalu from the Telugu Desam Party have introduced proposals to bar children under 16 from engaging with social media. While promising, such proposals may not reflect official government policy.

The Andhra Pradesh government has also formed a committee to examine global regulatory frameworks and invited major tech companies for discussions, though no comments have yet been received from these firms.

Critics, including digital rights activist Nikhil Pahwa, emphasize the difficulties surrounding age verification and suggest that state-level bans could lead to complicated enforcement issues, particularly near state borders.

Additionally, a survey of Indian teenagers indicated that many social media accounts are created with assistance from adults, complicating individual age verification efforts.

Some parents suggest that the core issue lies with parental engagement, stating that merely implementing a ban won't address deeper relationships between families and technology use.

As international interest grows in regulating social media for youth, discussions in the UK and France also mirror India’s considerations. Overall, while there is recognition of the challenges posed by social media for children, experts propose that a comprehensive solution encompassing education and community support might be more effective than outright bans.