As children spend more time online, concerns about social media use among young users are rising across the world. Governments, parents and schools are increasingly discussing how to keep the internet safer for young people. The debate around social media bans for children has now reached India, where two states have announced plans to limit how young users access social platforms. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are now considering new rules that could restrict social media use for children, with leaders saying the move is aimed at protecting young people’s health, safety and well-being. Read more about it.
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka consider social media bans for kids – here’s what it means:
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that the state government plans to ban social media accounts for children under 13 years of age. The proposal is expected to be formally introduced within about 90 days. Officials are also discussing possible restrictions for teenagers aged 13 to 16, though the final rules are still being worked out.
Meanwhile, in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented a stricter proposal during the state’s annual budget speech, suggesting a ban on social media use for all children under 16 years old. If the policy becomes law, Karnataka could become the first Indian state to introduce such a rule.
Read more about – Too Much Social Media May Be Hurting Kids’ Focus
Both state governments say the proposals are meant to reduce problems linked to heavy social media use among young people. These include addiction, exposure to harmful or inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and excessive screen time. However, officials have not yet explained how the restrictions would be enforced or how children’s ages would be verified on social media platforms.
The debate is part of a growing global conversation about protecting children online. Several countries are exploring age limits, screen-time rules, and stronger safety checks on social media platforms as governments try to balance digital access with child safety.
Did you know?
Australia Enforced Social Media Ban for Under 16s – Read about it here!
Also, read about – Economic Survey 2025-26 Proposes Social Media Age Limit for Children
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