Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have announced plans to restrict social media access for minors in an effort to protect children from the potential harms of excessive online exposure. On March 6, 2026, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the State intends to ban social media use for children under 16. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that his government plans to introduce regulations restricting social media access for children below 13 within the next 90 days.
Both leaders emphasised that the proposed measures aim to safeguard children from the negative psychological and social impacts associated with unregulated social media use.
Regulatory Challenges at the State Level
However, experts note that implementing such bans at the State level may face legal and administrative challenges. In India, regulation of the internet largely falls under the jurisdiction of the Union government.
Garima Saxena, an analyst at the think tank The Dialogue, explained that India’s digital regulatory framework is primarily governed by Central legislation, including the Information Technology Act and the Information Technology Rules.
She added that although States may attempt to justify intervention based on concerns such as public order, public health, or child welfare, the situation becomes more complex when regulations directly affect digital platforms or access to online services.
Possible Constitutional and Legal Questions
According to Saxena, once a State-level restriction begins to operate directly on digital intermediaries, it may raise questions regarding constitutional compatibility and overlap with Central laws.
In such cases, the policy could face scrutiny over whether it exceeds the legislative authority of State governments or conflicts with existing national regulations governing the digital ecosystem.
Centre Exploring Age-Based Restrictions
At the national level, discussions on regulating children’s social media use are already underway. Recently, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the government is exploring the possibility of introducing age-based restrictions on social media platforms.
However, he did not provide a timeline or specific details regarding the implementation of such measures.
A senior government official also indicated that the Centre may observe how State-level restrictions function before deciding on a broader national response.
Debate Over Effectiveness of Social Media Bans
As reported by The Hindu, the proposal to restrict social media access for minors has sparked a broader debate among policymakers, technology experts, and digital rights advocates.
The Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights advocacy group based in New Delhi, cautioned that blanket bans may not effectively address the underlying issues associated with online safety. In a statement, the organisation argued that such restrictions could prove disproportionate and might unintentionally limit children’s rights to information, expression, and participation.
The group also emphasised that the real concerns often stem from platform design choices that prioritise user engagement over safety, as well as gaps in data protection laws and digital literacy infrastructure.
Global Developments Influence Policy Discussions
Despite the concerns, the idea of restricting children’s social media use continues to gain traction globally. Last December, Australia became the first country to impose a nationwide ban on social media access for children.
However, experts note that the long-term impact of this policy remains unclear, as large-scale empirical evidence is still limited.
At the same time, similar discussions are emerging in other countries. In Indonesia, Digital Minister Meutya Hafid recently inspected the Jakarta offices of Meta and criticised the company for alleged lapses in addressing disinformation on its platforms. Shortly afterward, she announced plans to introduce a social media ban for users under the age of 16.
Technology Companies Respond to Proposed Restrictions
It remains uncertain how major social media companies will respond if Indian States attempt to enforce such restrictions.
A spokesperson for Meta said the company would comply with social media bans wherever they are legally enforced. However, the spokesperson also noted that any child safety regulations should apply equally across all digital platforms and applications rather than targeting social media platforms alone.
As the debate continues, policymakers across India and around the world are increasingly examining how best to balance children’s digital access with their safety and well-being.