Some Indian states are considering imposing age restrictions on children's use of social media, a move similar to an Australian law, as part of a global regulatory wave aimed at protecting minors online. These measures aim to prevent children under 16 from accessing digital platforms and create a safer digital environment for them. The initiatives have begun at the state level, with the western state of Goa exploring the possibility of banning children under 16 from using social media. Minister of Information Technology and Education Nara Lokesh pointed to the need for a clear legal framework to regulate children's use of social media, noting the formation of a ministerial committee to study the legal and practical feasibility of the step. The discussion was not limited to the executive level; the Madras High Court called on the federal government to consider similar restrictions, reflecting growing concerns about children's online safety outside of parliamentary circles. Any move to restrict children's access to digital platforms poses a challenge to global technology companies, as India is one of the key growth markets for these platforms, with over a billion internet users, a large portion of whom join at a young age. State IT Minister Rohan Khuanti said that authorities are reviewing legislation to implement a similar law to Australia's, according to a report seen by Arabia Business. The southern state of Andhra Pradesh is also studying the adoption of the Australian approach. A Meta spokesperson commented that decisions about apps should be left to parents, warning that teenagers might move to unregulated platforms if a comprehensive ban is imposed. Australia had passed its social media minimum age law in November 2024, with enforcement set to begin in December 2025, which revealed challenges in user age verification and practical implementation difficulties, reigniting debates on age-gating systems and sensitive data protection.
