Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and his son Ishaan Tharoor sparked a light-hearted social media exchange after Ishaan jokingly called for a ban on "boomers" using WhatsApp. The conversation began after Ishaan reacted to a debate over children's access to social media, agreeing with Zoho co-founder and former CEO Sridhar Vembu's suggestion that young children should be restricted from using social media platforms. In a post on X, Ishaan said he supported the idea that young children should not be exposed to social media at an early age.

However, he added a humorous twist by suggesting that India should first address the issue of older users on WhatsApp. "I agree young kids should not be on social media at all. But India needs to ban Boomers on WhatsApp first before it does anything else," he wrote. The comment quickly drew attention online, with many users reacting to the playful criticism of older generations and the wider discussion around social media habits. The term "boomer", originally referring to people from the baby boomer generation in Western countries, is often used informally on social media to describe older users who are perceived as less familiar with digital trends or online etiquette.

Shashi Tharoor, known for his witty responses and wordplay on social media, responded to his son's post with a humorous observation of his own. The Congress leader pointed out that generational labels do not always apply in the same way in India as they do in Western countries. He joked that, due to differences in population patterns and family structures, even younger generations in India could technically fall under the "boomer" category. "Given our reproductive patterns, my son, unlike in the West, every generation of Indians, including yours, qualifies as [baby] Boomers!" Tharoor wrote in his reply.

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His response added another layer of humour to the exchange, drawing reactions from social media users who appreciated the father-son banter. The exchange comes amid a larger conversation about children's exposure to digital platforms and the impact of social media on younger users. Sridhar Vembu had recently sparked debate by arguing that children should be protected from social media due to concerns over online content, screen time and potential effects on mental health and development.

While Ishaan's post was made in a humorous tone, it also reflected a broader discussion about how different age groups use technology and social media platforms. The interaction between the father and son highlighted the evolving relationship between generations in the digital era, where debates about online behaviour often involve both younger and older users. Shashi Tharoor, who frequently engages with current affairs and internet conversations through his social media accounts, has often gained attention for his witty remarks and literary style. This latest exchange with his son added another example of his ability to combine humour with commentary on contemporary issues.

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