The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is advancing toward potentially implementing a groundbreaking prohibition on social media usage for children, marking one of the most significant digital welfare initiatives in the country’s history. State Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh announced Thursday that government authorities are conducting comprehensive studies to establish legal mechanisms for enforcing “age-appropriate access” to digital platforms.
This development emerges against the backdrop of escalating global apprehension regarding online addiction and digital harm affecting younger demographics. Minister Lokesh emphasized that societal trust in social media ecosystems is progressively deteriorating, with children increasingly succumbing to compulsive usage patterns that demand urgent intervention.
The state administration has formally extended invitations to major technology corporations including Meta, Google, X, and ShareChat to participate in crucial discussions evaluating international best practices in youth digital protection. This collaborative approach seeks to balance technological innovation with responsible digital citizenship.
Andhra Pradesh’s initiative mirrors parallel considerations in Goa, where western Indian authorities are simultaneously examining the legal viability of comparable restrictions for minors. The movement gains additional momentum from the federal government’s annual economic survey, released concurrently, which recommends establishing nationwide guidelines concerning children’s screen time exposure.
The survey explicitly suggests that “policies on age-based access limits may be considered, as younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content,” indicating potential nationwide policy alignment.
Minister Lokesh further highlighted concerning trends in online safety for women, noting that many face persistent digital harassment that cannot be overlooked. This comprehensive approach addresses multiple vulnerable demographics within the digital landscape.
India’s position as the world’s most populous nation, with approximately one billion internet users and connectivity reaching 95% of villages, underscores the monumental significance of these potential regulatory changes. This development places India within an expanding international movement, following Australia’s implementation of social media restrictions for users under 16 in December and France’s recent legislative approval blocking platform access for children under 15. The European Union and numerous other nations are contemplating similar protective measures.