India Has No Immediate Plan To Ban Social Media For Under-18s

The Centre is not currently working on a proposal to ban or restrict social media access for people below the age of 18, government sources said on Tuesday. However, the government is holding discussions with industry representatives, academics and psychology experts to examine concerns associated with children's use of social media and identify an appropriate regulatory approach.

The discussions are focused on issues including cyberbullying, social anxiety and depression, with the government seeking what sources described as the “right solution” to address potential risks. The Centre has indicated that it remains committed to addressing problems linked to social media use among minors, but there is no active proposal at present to impose a blanket restriction on under-18 users.

The clarification comes after the Centre told the Supreme Court on September 29 that it would amend the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules to prevent children under 18 from opening social media accounts. Such a change would have required platforms to make age restrictions a statutory requirement. The government's latest position indicates that the proposed approach is now being reconsidered as consultations continue.

Also Read: Government Rules Out Plans To Curb Social Media Access For Under-18s

The issue has gained international attention as several countries examine tighter controls on children's access to social media. Australia, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey have introduced restrictions of varying kinds. The European Union has also considered the proposed EU KIDS Act, which would restrict social media access for children under 13 while providing limited and supervised access for teenagers aged 13 and 14.

The United Kingdom has announced restrictions on social media use for children under 16, while New Zealand introduced the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill in Parliament on August 24, 2026. The proposed legislation would require high-risk platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook to take reasonable steps to verify that users are at least 16 years old.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has cited concerns over the amount of time young people spend on social media and their exposure to harmful content, addictive technology and online pressures. He has linked excessive use among teenagers to potential effects on family life, mental health, sleep and education. In India, the ongoing consultations indicate that the government is continuing to assess these concerns before deciding whether any age-based social media restrictions are necessary.

Also Read: Government Rules Out Plans To Curb Social Media Access For Under-18s