PM Modi ally pushes bill to restrict social media platforms for under 16: ‘Becoming addicted’

A proposal to restrict children’s access to social media has been introduced in India by a political ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, placing the country into a widening global debate over the effects of digital platforms on young people’s well-being and online safety. The draft legislation, aimed at limiting under-16 use, emerges as India remains a major market for global technology companies and a significant source of user data.

“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,” lawmaker Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu told Reuters on Friday.

“Based on this data, these companies are creating advanced AI systems, effectively turning Indian users into unpaid data providers, while the strategic and economic benefits are reaped elsewhere,” he said.

Global backdrop to the debate

Australia recently became the first country to block children under 16 from social media, a step welcomed by many parents and child advocates but criticised by major technology firms and free-speech supporters. France’s National Assembly this week supported legislation to prevent children under 15 from using social media, while Britain, Denmark, and Greece are examining similar measures.

Meta has previously said it supports laws enabling parental oversight but warned that “governments considering bans should be careful not to push teens toward less safe, unregulated sites.”

India’s IT ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Details of the proposed bill

India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market with 750 million devices and a billion internet users, and it does not set a minimum age for social media access.

Devarayalu’s 15-page Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill, which is not public but was reviewed by Reuters, states that no one under 16 “shall be permitted to create, maintain, or hold” a social media account, and accounts found in violation should be disabled.

“We are asking that the entire onus of ensuring users’ age be placed on the social media platforms,” Devarayalu said.

Policy discussion in India

India’s chief economic adviser drew attention on Thursday by saying the country should frame policies on age-based access limits to address “digital addiction”.

Devarayalu’s proposal is a private member’s bill rather than government legislation, but such measures often prompt parliamentary debate and can shape future lawmaking. He represents the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which governs the state of Andhra Pradesh and plays a key role in PM Modi’s government.