The government is considering tough restrictions on minors’ access amid growing safety concerns.
India’s central government is firming up its position on whether to restrict or prohibit children’s access to social media, sources told The Economic Times.
In recent weeks, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has held multiple rounds of discussions with platforms and other stakeholders to assess how effectively intermediaries can technically limit access for users in specific age groups. At present, there are no age-based access restrictions in place.
States have already begun to move ahead with such curbs. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have announced plans to introduce restrictions, with more regions expected to weigh in. Karnataka is considering a ban on social media use for children under 16, while Andhra Pradesh is pursuing a more “graded” approach — a full ban for those under 13 and monitored, restricted access for users aged 13 to 16.
Internationally, governments are tightening rules. Australia imposed a ban on social media use for those under 16 in 2025, covering platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, while France, Spain, Indonesia and several US states are considering similar measures. In Brazil, a law on child online protection came into force on March 17, requiring platforms to verify users’ ages and introducing restrictions on key engagement mechanisms designed to retain user attention.
Officials point to a growing global consensus on the risks social media poses to children, including exposure to inappropriate content, misinformation, bullying, cyber fraud and addiction.
Last week, the National Human Rights Commission said it had identified “serious, large-scale, and systemic violations” by digital platforms widely used by children and asked multiple ministries, including MeitY, to submit action taken reports within 15 days.
Possible approaches under consideration include a complete ban or a graded framework allowing access only to age-appropriate content on platforms like YouTube and services owned by Meta Platforms. Authorities are also debating the appropriate age threshold — below 13 or 16.
Industry experts warn that a blanket ban could trigger pushback from platforms and drive children toward unregulated online spaces, arguing that stronger safeguards may be more effective than an outright prohibition.
Any such move could significantly impact social media companies, given India’s massive user base that includes a substantial number of young users.
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Source: The Economic Times
