The Australian government evoked several debates in November 2024 as it passed a bill to ban social media for kids under 16. This influenced other countries including India to think on similar lines. Recently, the topic has resurfaced in the Indian parliament as the central government released a draft regarding the need to limit social media access to children under 18. Is India planning to ban social media for kids too?

Related: No Social Media For Under-16 Kids In Australia: Does India Need A Similar Law?

Social media use for kids under 18: The proposed draft

The Indian central government has released a draft of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act rules. It states that children aged below 18 will require parental consent to open social media accounts. The concerned authorities will take proper measures to ensure the safety of the personal data of children and people with disabilities. To execute these rules, the parents and guardians can only use government-issued IDs and the ones linked with digital lockers to create their child’s account on social media platforms. However, the government has exempted educational institutions and child welfare organisations from some of the provisions of the draft rules. This is to respect the positive outcome of digitalisation in education and maintain the sector’s smooth functioning. Final rules and regulations are scheduled to be released after February 18, 2025.

Is there any penalty if someone violates the rules?

Yes. A penalty of up to ₹250 crore can be imposed in case of a data breach. Moreover, consumers can demand that companies explain their data collection practices. They can also question why they are collecting the data in the first place. If they find even a hint of misuse by any company, they can take action against it. Furthermore, consumers can demand that companies delete their data to protect their privacy.

What will the government do to ensure the protection of data?

As per the draft, the government will employ a Data Protection Board to oversee the implementation of the said rules. The board will plan a structure for regular communications with companies in charge of the data. It will further conduct remote meetings, investigate violations, and penalise offenders. This will ensure that any vulnerable information related to children under 18 is safeguarded at all costs.

Why isn’t India following a complete ban?

One can’t deny that unchecked access to social media is leading to various mental health issues including anxiety and depression in kids. However, a complete social media ban would not be fruitful for India. With the birth of Generation Beta, the most tech-savvy kids, banning social media will deprive them of understanding the pros of digitalisation. It will hinder their development as they won’t be able to access potential educational resources that can help them. This is why it’s important to have controlled access to social media for under-18 kids in India. With proper implementation of the proposed draft rules, the negative impacts of social media can be reduced considerably.

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