The Indian government is discussing with social media platforms the possibility of implementing age-based restrictions and age verification systems for minors. A minimum age limit for users could be set.
The government appears to be taking a serious stance on the growing influence of social media in India and its impact on children. Recently, the Indian government indicated that it is discussing age restrictions with major social media companies. The stated reason for this move is to protect minors from online threats, social media addiction, and misleading content.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav recently stated that the government is discussing with social media platforms the age group for children to access these platforms and the security measures that should be implemented. Although no final law or regulations have been announced yet, the government is preparing to formulate a robust policy in this regard.
This is why the government wants to set an age limit.
The government’s primary concern is that underage children create social media accounts without proper verification. This could expose them to cyberbullying, fake news, deepfake videos, and illegal content. India’s move is also aligned with global trends. Recently, Australia proposed stricter regulations on social media use for children under 16. Platforms there will be required to undergo age verification, and failure to do so could result in heavy fines.
Similarly, several European countries, including the UK, are also considering stricter laws regarding children’s online safety. Debates have intensified in these countries regarding algorithmic content, addictive social media features, and data privacy.
What could be the minimum age for users?
Discussions are currently ongoing between the government and social media companies. It is unclear whether the minimum age limit will be 13, 16, or higher. However, it is certain that India may see significant changes in social media use in the future. Implementation of the new policy could impact digital culture and online behavior, and could spark debates about digital freedom.
Experts believe that simply setting an age limit will not be enough. This will also require robust verification systems, parental controls, and accountability for platforms. It will also be necessary to ensure that the age verification process does not violate user privacy.
