India Mulls Age-Based Restrictions on Social Media, Says IT Minister
India is actively considering age-based social media restrictions as part of a broader push to enhance online safety for minors, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The proposed move forms part of the government’s wider efforts to curb digital harms and create a safer online ecosystem amid the rapid expansion of social media usage in the country.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the summit, Vaishnaw confirmed that the government has initiated discussions with major social media platforms and global technology companies to determine the “right way to go about” regulating age-based access to digital services. The aim, he explained, is to identify practical age-verification mechanisms that platforms can implement to reduce harmful exposure for younger users while remaining compliant with India’s legal and regulatory framework.
The minister clarified that no final decision has been taken and that no specific age threshold has been formally announced. Consultations with industry stakeholders are ongoing and are focused on striking a careful balance between technological innovation, open access to digital platforms, and stronger online safeguards for children and teenagers.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the summit, Vaishnaw confirmed that the government has initiated discussions with major social media platforms and global technology companies to determine the “right way to go about” regulating age-based access to digital services. The aim, he explained, is to identify practical age-verification mechanisms that platforms can implement to reduce harmful exposure for younger users while remaining compliant with India’s legal and regulatory framework.
The minister clarified that no final decision has been taken and that no specific age threshold has been formally announced. Consultations with industry stakeholders are ongoing and are focused on striking a careful balance between technological innovation, open access to digital platforms, and stronger online safeguards for children and teenagers.
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