NEW DELHI: An ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a bill seeking to ban social media access for children under 16, raising questions about online safety, digital addiction, and the country’s role in providing data to global tech giants.
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Lawmaker LSK Devarayalu, of the Telugu Desam Party, told Reuters on Friday that Indian children are increasingly addicted to social media while generating vast amounts of data for foreign platforms. “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.
🚨Andhra Pradesh is considering Australia-Like Social Media ban for childrens under 16: Nara Lokesh pic.twitter.com/7lKViTChhc
— Indian Infra Report (@Indianinfoguide) January 22, 2026
The Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill, a 15-page private member’s proposal not yet public, states that no one under 16 “shall be permitted to create, maintain, or hold” a social media account. Platforms would be responsible for enforcing age limits and disabling accounts of underage users.
India joins a growing global debate over children’s access to social media. Australia recently banned platforms for users under 16, while France has legislated restrictions for those under 15. The UK, Denmark, and Greece are also reviewing potential age-based limits.
Meta, YouTube-parent Alphabet, and X did not respond to requests for comment on the Indian proposal. Meta has previously supported parental oversight but cautioned that strict bans could push teens toward less safe, unregulated sites. India’s IT ministry has not yet commented.
India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market, with 750 million devices and over a billion internet users, making it a key growth area for social media platforms. While the bill is a private member’s proposal, such legislation often sparks parliamentary debate and can influence broader lawmaking.
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Devarayalu said the initiative is intended to curb digital addiction and protect children, reflecting growing concern about the mental health and safety impacts of social media use among young users.