Indian States Consider Banning Social Media for Minors Under 16
In response to growing concerns about the mental health impacts of social media on young users, several Indian states are contemplating implementing bans on social media access for individuals under the age of 16, drawing inspiration from Australia’s recent legislative measures.
Goa’s Initiative
The state of Goa is at the forefront of this movement. Rohan Khaunte, Goa’s Minister for Information Technology, announced that the state is examining Australia’s legislation to assess the feasibility of enacting a similar ban. He stated, If possible, we will implement a similar ban on children below 16 for usage of social media. ([indiatoday.in](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/goa-mulls-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16-following-australia-lead-meta-google-youtube-x-mental-health-2858651-2026-01-27?utm_source=openai))
Andhra Pradesh’s Consideration
Similarly, Andhra Pradesh is exploring comparable restrictions. The state’s Home Minister, Vangalapudi Anitha, indicated that a committee has been established to review existing laws and guidelines applicable to online platforms. The committee is expected to submit its report within a month, focusing on practical mechanisms to regulate children’s access to social media. ([tbsnews.net](https://www.tbsnews.net/world/south-asia/indias-andhra-pradesh-mulls-curbs-social-media-exposure-children-under-16-1341706?utm_source=openai))
National Context
India, with over a billion internet users, is a significant market for tech giants like Meta, Google’s YouTube, and X. Despite the vast number of young users, the country currently lacks national regulations restricting minors’ access to social media platforms. The federal government has not indicated plans to introduce such measures, leaving the initiative to individual states. ([indiatoday.in](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/goa-mulls-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16-following-australia-lead-meta-google-youtube-x-mental-health-2858651-2026-01-27?utm_source=openai))
Global Perspective
The move by Indian states aligns with a global trend of increasing scrutiny over minors’ use of social media. Australia recently implemented a law banning social media access for individuals under 16, resulting in the deactivation of millions of teen accounts. Other countries, including France, Indonesia, and Malaysia, are observing Australia’s approach with interest, considering similar legislation. ([straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/indian-tourist-state-of-goa-weighs-social-media-ban-for-children?utm_source=openai))
Implications and Challenges
Implementing such bans presents several challenges. Enforcement mechanisms, age verification processes, and potential legal hurdles are significant considerations. Additionally, there is an ongoing debate about balancing the protection of minors with their rights to access information and communicate freely.
Tech companies have expressed concerns about the practicality of enforcing age restrictions and the potential for driving young users to less regulated platforms. A Meta spokesperson emphasized the importance of comprehensive measures, stating, We will comply with social media bans, but with teens using roughly 40 apps weekly, targeting a handful of companies won’t keep them safe. ([indiatoday.in](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/goa-mulls-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16-following-australia-lead-meta-google-youtube-x-mental-health-2858651-2026-01-27?utm_source=openai))
Conclusion
As Indian states like Goa and Andhra Pradesh consider implementing social media bans for minors under 16, they join a global discourse on the role of digital platforms in the lives of young people. The outcomes of these deliberations could have significant implications for digital policy, child safety, and the operations of social media companies within India and beyond.
