India MP Proposes Bill to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16

An ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a private member’s bill seeking to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, intensifying India’s role in the global debate over youth online safety. Lawmaker L.S.K. Devarayalu said the proposed legislation aims to tackle rising social media addiction among children and concerns over how foreign tech companies use Indian user data to build advanced AI systems. He argued that Indian users are effectively becoming “unpaid data providers,” while economic and strategic gains flow overseas.

The proposed Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill would prohibit anyone under 16 from creating or holding social media accounts and would require platforms to ensure strict age verification, placing the responsibility squarely on technology companies. Firms including Meta, YouTube’s parent Alphabet, and X did not comment on the Indian proposal. Meta has previously supported parental oversight laws but warned that outright bans could push teenagers toward less regulated online spaces.

The move comes as several countries tighten rules on children’s social media access. Australia recently approved a ban for users under 16, while France’s National Assembly backed a similar restriction for those under 15. Policymakers in Britain, Denmark, and Greece are also reviewing age-based limits. In India—one of the world’s largest digital markets with about a billion internet users—the bill could spark significant parliamentary debate. Devarayalu, a member of the Telugu Desam Party, which governs Andhra Pradesh and supports Modi’s coalition, said the goal is to protect children while pushing platforms toward stronger accountability.

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