The Andhra Pradesh government is actively considering a ban on social media access for children below 16 years of age, drawing inspiration from Australia’s recent legislation. HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh revealed the proposal during an interview with Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He stressed that children under a certain age often lack the emotional maturity to process or handle the harmful and negative content widely available on social platforms, necessitating a robust legal framework to safeguard them.

Lokesh highlighted that the state administration is currently examining the implementation details and modalities of Australia’s under-16 social media ban. The move aims to shield young users from toxic influences, cyberbullying, inappropriate material, and potential mental health risks associated with excessive or early exposure to online platforms. Andhra Pradesh would join a growing list of regions worldwide exploring age-based restrictions to promote safer digital environments for minors.

TDP national spokesperson Deepak Reddy welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and responsible step. He praised Minister Lokesh for addressing the serious impact of social media on children’s mental health and safety. Reddy emphasized that youngsters below 16 are generally not equipped to critically evaluate or cope with freely accessible harmful content. He also contrasted the proposed protective measure with the previous YSRCP government’s alleged misuse of social media for derogatory attacks, asserting that the current NDA government is committed to strong action against online abuse.

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The proposal reflects broader global concerns about the effects of social media on adolescent well-being, including rising cases of anxiety, depression, addiction, and exposure to misinformation or predatory behavior. If implemented, Andhra Pradesh could become one of the first Indian states to enforce such a stringent age-based restriction, potentially setting a precedent for other regions in the country.

While the exact timeline and enforcement mechanisms are still under study, the government’s focus remains on balancing child protection with practical considerations around verification, parental involvement, and platform compliance.

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