Indian Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Ban Social Media for Children

An ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a bill that would prohibit children under 16 from using social media, intensifying global debates over the impact of online platforms on young people’s health and safety.

L.S.K. Devarayalu, a lawmaker from the Telugu Desam Party, said the bill addresses growing concerns about social media addiction and the country’s role in generating data for foreign tech companies. “Not only are our children becoming addicted to social media, but India is also one of the world’s largest producers of data for foreign platforms,” Devarayalu said on Friday.

He added that companies are using Indian users’ data to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems, with strategic and economic benefits going elsewhere. “Effectively, Indian users are unpaid data providers,” he said.

Devarayalu’s 15-page Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill, seen by Reuters, states that no one under 16 “shall be permitted to create, maintain, or hold” a social media account. Platforms would be responsible for verifying users’ ages, and any accounts found to be in violation would be disabled.

The legislation is a private member’s bill, meaning it is introduced by a lawmaker rather than a federal minister. Such bills do not often become law on their own but can spark parliamentary debates and influence policy decisions. Devarayalu’s party, the Telugu Desam Party, governs Andhra Pradesh and plays a key role in Modi’s coalition government.

The bill follows international trends to regulate children’s access to social media. Australia recently became the first country to ban social media for users under 16, a move welcomed by parents and child advocacy groups but criticized by tech companies and free-speech advocates. France’s National Assembly approved legislation to bar children under 15 from social media, while Britain, Denmark, and Greece are considering similar measures.

Meta, which operates Facebook, Alphabet, the parent company of YouTube, and X did not respond to requests for comment. Meta has previously stated that it supports parental oversight but cautions that broad bans could push teens to less safe, unregulated platforms. India’s Ministry of Information Technology did not respond to requests for comment on the proposed legislation.

India, with a billion internet users and 750 million smartphones, is the world’s second-largest smartphone market. The country currently has no minimum age for social media access, making it a critical growth market for global tech companies.

The proposal also comes amid broader concerns about digital addiction in India. The government’s chief economic adviser recently highlighted the need for age-based access policies to address the rising impact of online platforms on children.

Devarayalu said the legislation aims to place responsibility for age verification squarely on social media companies, ensuring that platforms themselves enforce the restrictions. The bill is expected to trigger debates in parliament, potentially shaping the country’s approach to children’s use of social media.