The Andhra Pradesh government is considering a ban on social media use for children below 16 years, citing rising concerns over online addiction, cyberbullying and the impact of digital platforms on minors’ mental health. IT Minister Nara Lokesh disclosed the proposal while speaking to a media outlet on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, stating that the state is actively studying global best practices to frame a strong legal safeguard for children.
Lokesh said the government is closely examining Australia’s recently enacted “Under-16” law, which places the responsibility of preventing minors from accessing social media on platform companies. “Children at a young age do not have the maturity to critically evaluate online content. We believe a robust legal framework is necessary to protect them,” he said. Australia implemented the landmark legislation from December 10, 2025, banning under-16 users from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter) and Snapchat, with stringent penalties for violations.
While the move is seen as progressive, officials acknowledge legal and technological challenges in enforcement, especially in the absence of a national-level policy by the central government. The proposal has gained momentum following recent observations by the Madras High Court recommending the introduction of Australia-like regulations in India. The AP government is also focusing on complementary measures such as improving digital literacy in schools and increasing parental awareness. An expert committee is expected to be constituted soon to assess the feasibility and implementation of such a law in the state.
Globally, several countries are adopting similar measures to regulate minors’ access to social media. Australia is the first to enforce a nationwide under-16 ban, while Malaysia has announced plans to implement a similar rule in 2026. France is considering a ban for children under 15, Spain plans to raise the minimum age to 16, and countries such as Denmark and Norway are exploring restrictions for minors. In China, strict “minor mode” regulations limit usage time, while in the United States, states like Florida have already enacted laws banning social media use for children under 14.