Concern Over Teen Safety and Data Use Sparks Social Media Ban Proposal in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a proposal to prohibit children from using social media, as India enters a growing global debate over the effects of online platforms on young people’s health and safety.

Speaking on Friday, lawmaker L.S.K. Devarayalu said excessive social media use is not only leading to addiction among children but is also turning India into one of the world’s largest sources of user data for foreign technology companies.

“These platforms are using Indian data to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems, while the economic and strategic gains are made outside the country,” Devarayalu said.

The proposal comes as several countries tighten regulations on children’s access to social media. Australia recently became the first nation to ban social media use for children under 16, a move praised by parents and child welfare groups but criticised by technology firms and free-speech advocates. France’s National Assembly has backed a similar ban for children under 15, while Britain, Denmark and Greece are also examining age-based restrictions.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Alphabet’s YouTube, and X did not respond to requests for comment on the proposed Indian legislation. Meta has previously said it supports laws that strengthen parental supervision but warned that outright bans could drive teenagers to unregulated and potentially unsafe platforms.

India’s Ministry of Information Technology also declined to comment.

With about 750 million smartphones and more than one billion internet users, India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market and a crucial growth region for social media companies. Currently, the country does not enforce a minimum age requirement for accessing social media.

Devarayalu’s proposed Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill, which has not been made public but was reviewed by Reuters, would prohibit anyone under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining a social media account. Accounts found to belong to underage users would be deactivated.

Under the bill, responsibility for verifying users’ ages would rest entirely with social media companies, Devarayalu said.

The proposal follows comments this week from India’s chief economic adviser, who called for policies to address “digital addiction” through age-based access limits.

Although Devarayalu’s bill is a private member’s proposal and was not introduced by a federal minister, such initiatives often spark parliamentary debate and can influence future legislation. Devarayalu represents the Telugu Desam Party, which governs Andhra Pradesh and plays a key role in supporting Modi’s coalition government.