NewKerala.com

TDP Urges Age-Based Social Media Curbs to Protect Children Online

The Telugu Desam Party has urged the central government to deliberate on a policy for age-based regulation of social media to protect children. TDP Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu met Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, submitting a memorandum that highlights alarming statistics on children's social media use and associated risks like cyberbullying and mental health issues. The memorandum cites recent tragic incidents and global legislative trends, including Australia's ban for under-16s, to argue for a robust national legal framework. The TDP MP had previously introduced a Private Member's Bill proposing a minimum age threshold, mandatory verification, and strong penalties for non-compliance.

Key Points: TDP Pushes Centre for Age-Based Social Media Regulation

  • Age-based social media access
  • Mandatory age-verification mechanisms
  • Deletion of children's data
  • Global examples of regulation
  • Tackling cyberbullying and addiction
3 min read

TDP urges Centre to consider age-based regulation of social media

TDP leader meets I&B Minister, submits memo for national policy on age-based social media regulation to protect children from online harms.

"In India, nearly 90 per cent of children aged 14-16 have access to smartphones... - TDP Memorandum"

Amaravati, Feb 10

The Telugu Desam Party has urged the Centre to consider age-based regulation of social media.

TDP Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu on Tuesday met Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw and submitted a memorandum, requesting for policy deliberation on age-based regulation of social media for children.

He requested 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.

The TDP MP informed the Central minister that the NDA Government in Andhra Pradesh is actively examining this issue and exploring a robust legal framework to protect children online.

The MP recalled that he had introduced a Private Member's Bill on Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety). 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.

Krishna Devarayalu drew the attention of the Central minister to the growing and overwhelming concern regarding children's safety on social media platforms.

"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," reads the memorandum.

"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," wrote the TDP MP, who also enclosed news summaries and Economic Survey extracts.

The TDP leader mentioned 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.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Finally, a political party is talking about this! The Ghaziabad and Lucknow incidents were heartbreaking. Social media companies only care about engagement, not our kids' mental health. Age verification and strict penalties are the way to go. Jai Hind!
A
Arun Y
While the intent is good, I'm skeptical about implementation. How will they verify age effectively without violating privacy? Also, what about digital literacy? We need to teach kids how to navigate the online world safely, not just ban them from it.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see TDP taking this up. The global examples are important. But we must have an Indian solution. Our family structures and access to technology are different. A blanket ban might not work. The expert committee should include child psychologists and educators.
K
Karthik V
The data collection point is crucial. These foreign apps are making money off our children's information. The government must ensure any policy forces permanent deletion of kids' data. This is about digital sovereignty as much as safety.
M
Meera T
Parents also need to take responsibility. We can't just blame the platforms and ask the government to fix everything. Setting screen time limits and talking to our children is our first duty. A law can support, but not replace, good parenting.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50