Centre weighs social media curbs for under-16s, consults platforms on age-based rules

The Union government is considering restricting access to social media for users below 16 years of age by amending the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. A senior IT ministry official said the proposal is under active discussion, with the government examining global models, including Australia’s approach, though not contemplating a complete ban for under-16s.

On Tuesday, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government is holding consultations with various social media platforms regarding age-based restrictions and concerns around deepfakes. He noted that several countries have accepted the need for age-based regulation and added that such provisions were part of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act framework.

Currently, India has no law that explicitly bars children below a certain age from accessing social media. However, under the DPDP Act, platforms must obtain verifiable parental consent before processing personal data of individuals under 18. This indirectly restricts minors’ use, as companies cannot freely collect their data or target advertisements without parental approval.

Globally, Australia became the first country to impose a social media ban on those under 16. France has passed a similar law for users under 15, while Spain and the United Kingdom are considering comparable measures. In India, states such as Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are exploring Australia-style restrictions, and the Madras High Court has recommended that the Centre consider such legislation.

The Economic Survey released in January also backed age-based digital restrictions, warning that compulsive screen use among young people carries economic and social costs. It recommended stricter age verification, age-appropriate defaults, and safeguards for features such as auto-play, gambling apps and targeted advertising. The IT minister further called for stronger regulation of deepfakes, citing the need to protect children and society, and noted that recent IT Rules amendments mandate takedown of deepfakes within three hours and compulsory labelling of AI-generated content.