Summary: Countries globally are actively developing strategies to deal with the challenges presented by social media, especially in the context of children. Australia, and more recently the UK, are banning social media for children below a certain age. India is also toying with the idea of a ban v/s a limited ban or restriction to make the online space safer for youngsters. This article focusses on the viability of a ban and offers recommendations for future action.
It’s a “brave new world for children” – a technology driven one.
This generation, having witnessed a pandemic, climate change and wars in their short lifetimes, is digital native. They use technology for education as well as social interactions.
Their world is online — they have grown up seeing or meeting relatives, attending classes, studying, and learning (sometimes via reels or videos), consuming news, and in many instances, even making friends, exchanging notes and expressing themselves online. This was largely made possible by social media apps, which continue to evolve to bridge “social” gaps worldwide.
Since this is the reality for many kids today, how do we suddenly change tracks and expect them to comply with a social media ban?
The likelihood of effectiveness of a ban is contextual. Bans tend to be blunt instruments, often pushing activities underground and causing unintended harm. It is premised on obedience and compliance, its futility, on defiance. Many parents will concur that kids today have a mind of their own. Even toddlers are encouraged to ask questions, develop clarity of thought and clear understanding of their wants – qualities to be proud of. They don’t just do things because they are told to. A ban may be particularly tough for those who grew up with access to social media apps and being online. Further, parenting styles have also evolved over time. Parents no longer force or punish; they explain, reason, and educate children about potential cons and seek cooperation to instill important concepts over time. Given this shift in perspective, how will parents enforce a social media ban and ensure kids comply with it in practice?
Against this backdrop, understanding and acting on the findings of India’s Economic Survey 2025-26 become imperative. It flagged the rapid rise of digital addiction and screen-related mental health problems as a major public health concern, particularly among children and adolescents. Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran recommended that “policies on age-based access limits may be considered, as younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content,” and that “platforms should be made responsible for enforcing age verification and age-appropriate defaults.”
Having said that, there are significant practical challenges. Age-based curbs do not work because children can “creatively” circumvent them. Technological tools to bypass curbs are available. Parents can’t monitor kids round the clock, leaving looming questions around the effectiveness of a ban.
The definitional ambiguity at the intersection of social media, content creation, gaming, educational or informational app needs to be examined. The contours can, sometimes, be unclear and the mere functionality of ability to connect, share and exchange content shouldn’t result in ‘ban’ of apps.
Another pivotal question that warrants careful consideration is: what are we aiming to shield our children from by enforcing a social media ban?
While the online world has its perils, one cannot negate the threats of the physical world. Yet, children are allowed to venture into the real world—to play outside, go to school, etc.—with the expectation that they will “toughen up”, distinguish between right and wrong, and face challenges head on. The principles are no different for movement online. Why, then, should offline and online policies differ?
The shaping of the future generation is on us. Instead of creating a generation of social media awkward youngsters, who fear or are fascinated by the unknown, it might be prudent to normalise digital safety. Just as they are taught to look to their right and left before crossing the road, scheduling their study and play time, staying away from strangers and raising an alarm in case of danger, children can be educated to take care of themselves online as well. This can be achieved by adding checks and balances (for instance, platforms gating child inappropriate content and ensuring quick take downs), scheduling (limited hours), explaining behavioral rules of conduct in the digital world, and instilling compliance with laws and rules (by explaining consequences of rule-breaking under law). Children are resilient and adaptive. A logical explanation and better understanding of consequences might achieve what a simpliciter “no” may not.
This debate also frequently overlooks the aspect of equity. This ban will especially be tough on the first-generation learners, depriving them of access and exposure others may already have.
With time and technology upgrades, law can evolve for ensuring safety online. What India needs, alongside any regulatory framework; or perhaps even more critically than regulation, is a concerted national programme of digital literacy and empowerment—one that begins in early childhood and builds throughout school. The Economic Survey itself recommended structured interventions, including cyber-safety education, peer-mentor programmes, mandatory physical activity in schools, parental training on screen-time management, and platform accountability for harmful content.
A guidance-based approach for good digital habits can be considered from early childhood. Schools, parents, communities, and governments are already playing their part. However, a more focused, unified and concerted effort can be launched to help kids understand risks, such as addiction, bullying, misinformation, and the consequences of engaging in or falling prey to them. Children can also be taught the principles of respect, boundaries and conduct online.
India is at a decisive moment. Its young population is one of its greatest assets.
Our children are already online and shielding them may not be effective, always. It’s on us to empower them to deal with come what may. Some of these steps may take time to implement, unlike a ban – which may be immediate. The impact will, however, be long term. With investment of time and effort, we may be successful in creating a breed of digitally savvy and responsible digital nagriks. This plan is not fool proof, but worth a try. Afterall, the gift of safety is possibly the best gift we can give our children in today’s day and age.