The Andhra Pradesh government is exploring a major policy shift targeting social media use among children under 16. Inspired by recent proposals in Australia aimed at protecting minors, the draft plan seeks to restrict access to online platforms for younger users through age verification mechanisms and parental consent requirements. The initiative represents a growing focus on child safety in digital spaces.
Why the Proposal Is Emerging
Policymakers in Andhra Pradesh point to rising concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, academic performance, sleep patterns, and exposure to harmful content. Social media platforms, with features designed to maximise engagement, have been linked with anxiety, cyberbullying, and distraction among younger users. Similar debates in countries like Australia and across Europe frame youth social media use as a public-health issue rather than solely a personal choice.
Key Elements of the Draft Policy
The Andhra Pradesh draft proposes several significant measures:
- Age Verification: Users under 16 would need robust proof of age to access social media platforms.
- Parental Consent: Minors would be permitted to use popular apps only with verifiable parental approval.
- Feature Restrictions: Elements often cited as addictive — such as unlimited scrolling, autoplay videos, and certain app notifications — could be limited or disabled for under-16 users.
- Safety Guidelines and Reporting Tools: Platforms may be required to provide enhanced reporting and parental control tools tailored for minors’ guardians.
Supporters argue these safeguards could reduce exposure to harmful material and give parents more control, while critics point out the technical and legal challenges of enforcing such rules.
Enforceability and Implementation Challenges
Critics of the proposal caution that age verification systems are imperfect, often relying on documentation that can be forged or easily bypassed. There are also significant privacy concerns if sensitive personal information is collected to verify age. Digital rights advocates fear such frameworks could inadvertently create data security risks for children or set precedents for broader online censorship.
Additionally, enforcing state-level restrictions in a federal republic like India raises jurisdictional questions. Social media platforms operate nationally and internationally, which may complicate any state-specific regulatory regime. Platforms may resist enforcing multiple age policies across different states.
Global Context: What Australia Is Doing
The proposal draws from debates in Australia, where regulators and lawmakers have discussed requiring age verification and limits on features to protect children online. While no federal ban has been enacted there yet, the discussions have accelerated global attention on how social media companies can be held accountable for youth wellbeing.
Potential Impact on Families and Tech Use
If adopted, the Andhra Pradesh policy could reshape how minors engage with digital platforms — potentially reducing screen time and harmful interactions but also limiting access to information, socialisation, and digital skills development. Parents, educators, and youth advocates will likely play key roles in shaping how such rules evolve.
Conclusion
Andhra Pradesh’s consideration of an Australia-style under-16 social media ban reflects a wider global conversation about protecting youth in the digital age. While the intent is to safeguard mental health and safety, practical challenges around age verification, privacy, and enforcement will need careful navigation before any policy can be implemented. The debate highlights the tension between child protection and digital freedom in an increasingly connected world.
