New Delhi, January 31, 2026 — An influential ally in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition has introduced a private member’s bill that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, placing India at the forefront of the intensifying worldwide debate over the effects of digital media on youth.
The proposal, formally known as the Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill, was put forward by L.S.K. Devarayalu, a lawmaker from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The TDP is a key partner in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and currently leads the administration in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
In a 15-page draft seen by Reuters, the bill explicitly states that no individual under 16 “shall be permitted to create, maintain, or hold” a social media account. Any such accounts discovered would need to be disabled immediately. Crucially, the legislation shifts full responsibility for age verification and compliance onto the social media companies themselves, rather than users or parents.
Devarayalu emphasized the dual motivations behind the measure. “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,” he told Reuters. He argued that Indian users serve as “unpaid data providers,” with their information used to train advanced AI systems while the economic and strategic advantages largely accrue overseas.
India’s massive digital footprint underscores the potential impact of such a policy. The country boasts over one billion internet users and ranks as the world’s second-largest smartphone market, with approximately 750 million devices in use. It also serves as the single biggest user base for major platforms including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as YouTube.
Currently, India lacks a national minimum age law for social media participation, though most platforms enforce their own rules—typically requiring users to be at least 13 years old. The proposed bill would represent a significant escalation in regulatory oversight.
The initiative aligns with broader trends both domestically and internationally. In Andhra Pradesh, the TDP-led state government has already formed a Group of Ministers to examine a similar under-16 restriction and has signaled plans to engage directly with technology companies on the matter. At the national level, India’s Economic Survey has highlighted concerns about “digital addiction” among young people.
Globally, the push reflects mounting worries about mental health risks, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and excessive screen time. Australia made headlines in late 2025 by becoming the first nation to enact a comprehensive nationwide ban on social media for those under 16, with the measure taking effect in the following year. Several European countries and others are pursuing stricter age verification, content moderation, or parental oversight requirements.
As a private member’s bill, Devarayalu’s proposal is not yet endorsed by the government and would require substantial parliamentary backing to advance into law. Nevertheless, its introduction from within Modi’s coalition signals growing political momentum around protecting minors in the digital age.
If passed, the legislation could establish a landmark precedent in one of the planet’s most digitally connected societies, where social media influences everything from education and social interactions to political mobilization. The debate is likely to intensify as stakeholders—including tech giants, child advocates, parents, and free-speech proponents—weigh the balance between safety and access in an increasingly online world.
About The Author
