Ram Gopal Varma Warns Social Media Ban Will Create "Digital Latecomers" in India

The deaths of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad earlier this month have reignited a nationwide debate on digital addiction and online safety, with filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma weighing in strongly against proposals to ban social media access for minors. The tragedy, which occurred on February 4, involved sisters aged 12, 14, and 16 and has prompted renewed calls from some quarters for stricter regulation of children’s access to digital platforms.

In response, Varma shared a detailed post on social media titled “BAN THE BANNERS”, arguing that restricting social media for children under 16 could prove counterproductive in a hyper-connected world. While acknowledging the emotional impact of the Ghaziabad incident, the filmmaker maintained that blanket bans fail to address the deeper issues of mental health, supervision, and digital literacy.

Varma contended that social media today functions as a key channel for learning, information exchange, and skill development. He argued that platforms such as YouTube, online forums, and short-form video apps expose young users to educational resources, global perspectives, and emerging opportunities that traditional systems may not provide as quickly or effectively. According to him, cutting off access could leave children at a disadvantage compared to peers in countries without such restrictions.

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He further warned that bans could widen global inequality by creating a gap between children who grow up navigating fast-moving information ecosystems and those who encounter them much later. Varma suggested that early, guided exposure helps young people develop adaptability, digital awareness, and social capital that compound over time into educational and professional advantages.

At the same time, the filmmaker acknowledged concerns around harmful or inappropriate content but argued that outright prohibition does not eliminate risks. Instead, he said, it delays exposure without preparing children to engage critically and responsibly with the digital world when access eventually becomes unavoidable.

The Ghaziabad case remains under investigation. Police said the sisters allegedly took their lives after their parents objected to excessive gaming and confiscated their phones. Mental health experts have reiterated the need for balanced approaches that combine parental guidance, counselling support, and digital education, rather than relying solely on bans, to address the complex challenges posed by technology and adolescent well-being.

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