NDA key ally TDP seeks national policy on age-based regulation of social media for kids

NDA key ally, TDP has sought the Centre to bring a national policy on age-based regulation of social media for children. TDP's floor leader in Lok Sabha, Lavu Krishna Devarayalu, on Tuesday wrote to union I & B minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw drawing attention to the growing and overwhelming concern regarding children's safety on social media platforms. The letter comes at a time when TDP led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh is actively working to bring in a legal framework to restrict minors from accessing social media.

In his letter, the MP highlighted alarming data pointing to excessive social media usage among Indian children and adolescents, linking it to anxiety, depression, self-harm, cyberbullying, and online psychological distress.

Krishna Devarayulu said that in India, nearly 90 per cent of children aged 14-16 have access to smartphones at home, and over 75 per cent actively use social media, largely for recreational consumption. Studies indicate that more than 60 per cent of minors have experienced online bullying, and nearly half are exposed to age-inappropriate or harmful content. Excessive social media use has been increasingly linked to rising anxiety, depression, and self-harm among adolescents, even as platforms continue to collect and monetise children's data without adequate safeguards.

“Recent tragic incidents in India further underscore the gravity of this challenge. Cases from Ghaziabad and Lucknow, where minors lost their lives following extreme digital addiction, cyberbullying, and online psychological distress, have triggered nationwide concern. The Economic Survey 2025-26 has also flagged rising digital addiction among youth, linking high-intensity social media use to serious mental health and behavioural risks,” the Narasaraopet MP said in the letter. He added that several countries have begun responding to this challenge through decisive legislative action.

Australia has enacted a ban on social media access for children under 16, while Denmark, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand are actively considering or advancing similar age-based restrictions as part of broader online safety frameworks.

“This reflects an emerging global consensus that parental controls alone are insufficient and that responsibility must rest squarely with platforms,” he said.

Krishna Devarayalu had already introduced a Private Member's Bill on Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) in the House. The Bill proposes, inter alia, a minimum age threshold for social media access, mandatory age-verification mechanisms, and the permanent deletion of children's personal data collected during verification, along with strong enforcement and penalties for non-compliance.

He also said that the NDA-led Government in Andhra Pradesh is actively examining this issue and exploring a robust legal framework to protect children online. “In light of the national and international significance of this matter, I respectfully request that the Ministry consider constituting a dedicated committee or expert group to study age-based regulation of social media and recommend a comprehensive national policy,” Krishna Devarayalu said.

A Group of Ministers (GoM) in Andhra Pradesh appointed to strengthen social media accountability, recently directed officials to study policies in Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, and France on curbing children's access.

Formed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in early September 2025, the GoM aims to recommend a new bill addressing gaps in current laws against online vitriol and misinformation. Members include IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav, Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, Housing and I&PR Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy, and Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha. Its mandate is to review national social media laws, identify accountability shortfalls, and propose fixes amid concerns over cybercriminals inciting hate under anonymity.

The GoM has now urged study of global and local laws to restrict minors' usage. Government sources said NGOs will also be roped in to analyse psychological and behavioral impacts on children under 16 from social media exposure, given their limited maturity to process online content. As regulation falls under central jurisdiction, the state is exploring a special local law.