NEW DELHI, Jan 31, 2026, 18:50 IST
- A Modi ally has introduced a bill that would prohibit anyone under 16 from having social media accounts, placing the responsibility for age verification squarely on the platforms themselves.
- This move comes as India grapples with concerns over “digital addiction,” prompting several states to consider restrictions targeting children.
- Australia and France have adopted comparable restrictions, while major platforms remain silent on the Indian proposal.
Lawmaker L.S.K. Devarayalu, a close ally of Prime Minister Modi, has introduced a bill aiming to ban social media accounts for anyone under 16 in India. This could deal a significant blow to giants like Meta and YouTube in what’s their largest market. (Reuters)
The timing isn’t random. India’s internet user base hits around a billion, yet there’s no national minimum age for social media use. Politicians are feeling the heat to prove they’re serious about tackling online harms.
Devarayalu frames the ban as a dual concern: child safety and data privacy. He claims that excessive use by kids fuels addiction risks, and that Indian user data is being exploited by companies to develop sophisticated AI systems overseas.
The 15-page draft proposes banning anyone under 16 from “creating, maintaining, or holding” social media accounts. Platforms would be required to verify users’ ages—basically, confirm that sign-ups meet the age threshold—and shut down accounts owned by minors. “We are asking that the entire onus of ensuring users’ age be placed on the social media platforms,” Devarayalu stated. (Moneycontrol)
As a private member’s bill, it was put forward by a lawmaker instead of a federal minister. In India, these bills often spark debate and can influence future government initiatives, despite typically progressing slowly on their own.
State governments are stepping up too. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Goa have started talks about limiting kids’ time on social media, potentially impacting about 12 million minors, The Independent reported. Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh stated the “situation cannot be ignored any longer.” (The Independent)
India’s top economic adviser, V. Anantha Nageswaran, pushed for age-based restrictions in the country’s annual economic survey released Thursday. He argued that platforms must take responsibility for age verification and set age-appropriate defaults, labeling social media companies as “predatory” for how they hook users. DataReportal figures show India has about 500 million YouTube users, 403 million on Facebook, and 481 million on Instagram. (Reuters)
Meta, Alphabet, and X didn’t reply to requests for comment on the bill. India’s IT ministry also stayed silent. Meta has expressed support for laws boosting parental control but cautioned that outright bans might drive teens to “less safe, unregulated sites.”
Abroad, some governments are cracking down hard. Australia’s ban on under-16s kicked in last December, slapping fines up to A$49.5 million on companies that don’t keep minors out. France’s National Assembly has approved a similar ban for under-15s, while Britain is mulling an approach much like Australia’s. (Reuters)
India’s route remains uncertain. A nationwide ban would require massive age verification efforts, and critics say teens could easily bypass rules using fake information. Platforms caution that a full ban might just push kids toward less regulated parts of the web.
