India has joined the growing global debate on teen social media use, as a lawmaker allied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed legislation to ban social media for children under 16. The move comes after Australia introduced a similar restriction, intensifying worldwide scrutiny of how digital platforms affect young users.
The proposal was introduced by LSK Devarayalu, a member of parliament from the Telugu Desam Party, which plays a key role in India’s coalition government. He argued that excessive social media use is harming children’s mental health, safety, and well-being, while also raising concerns about how foreign technology companies profit from Indian user data.
According to Devarayalu, India is one of the largest data producers globally, and overseas platforms are using that data to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems. He said Indian users, especially children, are becoming unpaid data providers, while economic and strategic benefits flow outside the country.
The proposed Social Media Age Restriction Bill would prohibit anyone under 16 from creating or holding a social media account. Platforms would be required to verify users’ ages, and any account found to belong to a minor would be disabled. Importantly, the bill places the entire responsibility on social media companies, not parents or children.
India currently does not enforce a minimum age for social media access, despite being the world’s second-largest smartphone market, with around 750 million devices and nearly one billion internet users. This makes the country a critical growth hub for platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and X.
Globally, momentum is building. France has backed a ban for children under 15, while countries including Britain, Denmark, and Greece are studying similar measures. Technology firms have expressed concern, warning that outright bans could push teens toward unregulated and unsafe platforms.
Although Devarayalu’s proposal is a private member’s bill, such initiatives often spark parliamentary debate and shape future laws. With rising concern over digital addiction, India’s discussion may signal major changes ahead for teen online access.
