Indian MP Proposes Social Media Restrictions for Under-13s

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Baijayant Panda has introduced a private member's bill that proposes a ban on social media account creation for children under 13 without prior parental consent. The bill, titled the Safeguarding Healthy Internet Environments for Little Digital-Natives (SHIELD) Bill 2025, also mandates age verification systems for platforms and parental control dashboards to monitor activity, manage privacy settings, and restrict screen time.

The proposed legislation would require social media platforms and other digital intermediaries to take steps to protect children from exposure to harmful content, including pornography, gambling, and violent or extremist material. It also seeks to prohibit platforms from tracking, profiling, and using personalized advertising. Fines of up to Rs 10 crore (approximately $1.2 million USD) are proposed for platforms found guilty of violations. Stricter timelines are included for the removal of harmful content, especially child sexual abuse material.

Panda stated that the bill was drafted after extensive consultations with stakeholders. He also noted that research has established that many social media algorithms are designed to foster addiction and reinforce narrow viewpoints. The bill comes as several Indian states and the central government are reportedly considering similar restrictions on children's social media use.

While private member's bills rarely pass in India – none have been enacted since 1970 – the proposal highlights growing concerns about child online safety. It aligns with international trends where countries are increasingly exploring or implementing similar measures to safeguard minors in the digital space.