India: Age Restrictions on Social Media for Minors?

The Indian government is exploring potential age-based restrictions on social media usage for minors, prompted by increasing concerns over inappropriate content, misinformation, cyberbullying, and addiction-related issues. The IT ministry has engaged in discussions with social media platforms and stakeholders to assess the feasibility of such measures.

This move follows similar initiatives in other countries, including Australia, which has already implemented a ban on social media usage for individuals under 16. Within India, states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have expressed intentions to reduce social media usage among teenagers.

The government is evaluating whether to implement a complete ban or a tiered approach that allows age-appropriate content. The specific age range for restrictions is still under consideration, with different states proposing varying age groups for the ban.

Parliamentary pressure is also mounting, with a recent meeting of 15 MPs initiated by TDP MP Lavu Srikrishna Devarayulu to discuss the issue. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the matter, citing “serious, large-scale, and systemic violations” by digital, social media, edtech, and AI platforms widely accessed by children in India.

The Economic Survey released earlier this year highlighted the excessive use of digital devices and suggested platforms should enforce age verification and age-appropriate defaults for social media, gambling apps, and targeted advertising.

The debate around age-appropriate bans raises concerns about potential impacts on the growth of social media platforms and increased compliance costs. Platforms argue that bans could lead to unregulated platforms for children.

Some states are proceeding with local legislation while the central government formulates a nationwide policy. Karnataka has proposed a ban on mobile phone and social media usage for under-16s, while Andhra Pradesh has set a deadline to enforce a blanket ban on social media usage for under-13s. Maharashtra and Goa are also considering similar restrictions.