If Andhra Pradesh Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh has his way, the state government may consider banning social media usage for children below 16 years of age, citing growing concerns over child safety and exposure to harmful online content.
According to a Bloomberg report, Lokesh said the Andhra Pradesh government is closely examining the legal framework adopted by Australia, where access to social media platforms has reportedly been restricted for minors under 16. State officials are studying how the Australian law functions in practice and whether a similar model can be adapted within India’s legal and administrative framework at the state level.
The report noted that Lokesh stressed the importance of having a clear and robust legal mechanism before enforcing such restrictions. He expressed the view that children below a certain age often lack the maturity to fully understand the content they encounter on social media, making their protection an urgent priority.
Reiterating his stance, Lokesh said young children should not be given unrestricted access to social media platforms, as unchecked exposure could have serious psychological and social consequences.
Currently, India largely depends on parental controls and platform-level safeguards to regulate minors’ online activity. The Central government has not yet taken a definitive position on imposing blanket restrictions on social media access for minors, with such measures posing significant legal and technological challenges.
The Bloomberg report also pointed out that the Madras High Court has raised similar concerns in the past, observing that the issue requires careful and detailed examination. The court has previously urged the Centre to explore the feasibility of enacting legislation on the lines of Australia’s law to regulate internet and social media usage by children below 16 years of age.
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