Karnataka & Andhra to Ban Social Media Use by Children

Brief Context

Context Karnataka has announced a ban on social media use by children under 16 in its latest Budget, and Andhra Pradesh is moving to introduce a measure that would prohibit those under 13 to use such service. About It signals the growing momentum in India to protect children from the various harms that social media platforms can cause. Andhra Pradesh has said the state will introduce similar regulations within 90 days.

Source Content

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• Karnataka has announced a ban on social media use by children under 16 in its latest Budget, and Andhra Pradesh is moving to introduce a measure that would prohibit those under 13 to use such service.

About

• It signals the growing momentum in India to protect children from the various harms that social media platforms can cause.
• Andhra Pradesh has said the state will introduce similar regulations within 90 days.
• Calls for banning social media use for children are gaining traction across the world, with the precedent set by a landmark Australian legislation that went into effect last year. 

Ban of Social Media for underage Children

• Though India is yet to make a regulatory move at the central level, preliminary discussions around age-based social media restrictions are learnt to have begun at the IT Ministry.
• The Economic Survey 2025-26 also called on the government to implement age-based limits for social media usage for children and digital ads targeted at them. 
• The Survey’s recommendation stemmed from larger concerns surrounding “digital addiction” among young users.
• It also stated that simpler devices, such as basic phones or education-only tablets, should be promoted among children along with enforced usage limits and content filters. 

Need for Ban / Regulation of Social Media for Underage Users in India

• Protection from Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: Children frequently face cyberbullying, trolling, and online abuse, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
• Mental Health and Psychological Well-being: Social media algorithms promote addictive scrolling, unrealistic body images, and peer pressure, negatively affecting adolescents’ mental health.
• Exposure to Harmful or Inappropriate Content: Underage users may encounter violent, explicit, or misleading content that is unsuitable for their age and maturity level.
• Protection from Online Predators and Exploitation: Children are vulnerable to grooming, sexual exploitation, and trafficking risks on online platforms.
• Reducing Screen Addiction and Improving Academic Focus: Excessive social media use leads to screen addiction, reducing study time, concentration, and physical activity.
• Protection of Personal Data and Privacy: Minors often share personal information unknowingly, making them vulnerable to data misuse, identity theft, and targeted manipulation.
• Combating Misinformation and Radicalisation: Children may easily believe fake news, propaganda, or harmful online challenges, affecting their judgement and behaviour.

Challenges in Implementing a Ban on Social Media for Underage Users in India

• Difficulty in Age Verification: Most social media platforms rely on self-declared age, making it easy for minors to create accounts with false information.
  • Strict verification may require identity documents, raising privacy concerns.
• Technical and Enforcement Challenges: Implementing restrictions across millions of users and multiple platforms is complex.
  • Users may bypass bans using VPNs, alternate accounts, or logged-out browsing.
• Policy Inconsistency: If different states adopt different age limits, it may create legal and operational confusion.
• Impact on Digital Rights and Freedom of Expression: Blanket bans could restrict children’s right to information, expression, and participation in the digital space.
• Risk of Driving Users to Unsafe Platforms: If mainstream platforms restrict access, teenagers may move to less regulated or anonymous platforms, which may expose them to greater risks.
• Widening the Digital Divide: In India, social media is often used for learning, awareness, and communication.
  • Restrictions may disproportionately affect children from disadvantaged backgrounds who rely on digital platforms for information.
• Gender Digital Divide: Families might misuse the ban to restrict girls’ internet access completely, worsening the digital gender gap.

Conclusion

• A balanced approach combining regulation, platform responsibility, digital literacy, and parental involvement is essential to ensure children’s online safety while protecting their digital rights and access to information.

Source: IE