A.P. govt. plans curbs on social media use by children
Age-based access system, particularly for users in 13–16 group, to limit exposure to harmful or inappropriate content under consideration; framework should draw from global best practices, says IT Minister Lokesh
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Context
The Andhra Pradesh government is drafting a regulatory framework to restrict social media access for children below 13 years and implement an age-gated system for teenagers aged 13-16. This initiative aims to protect minors from harmful online content and aligns with emerging global trends in digital child safety.
UPSC Perspectives
Governance & Legal Framework
In India, the (DPDP Act) governs how tech companies handle user data, strictly defining a child as anyone under 18 years of age. Under Section 9 of the Act, Data Fiduciaries (companies determining the purpose of data processing) must obtain verifiable parental consent before processing a minor's data and are barred from targeted advertising or behavioral monitoring of children. The Andhra Pradesh proposal to create a graded 'age-based access system' (banning under-13s and restricting 13-16s) introduces a more nuanced approach than the blanket 18-year threshold in the central law. From a UPSC perspective, this highlights the tension between cooperative federalism and concurrent jurisdiction over IT regulations, as states attempt to formulate localized guidelines under the broad umbrella of the .
Social Impact & Child Rights
The unchecked proliferation of social media has exacerbated vulnerabilities among adolescents, exposing them to cyberbullying, grooming, and mental health crises. The (NCPCR) has repeatedly flagged the psychological toll of digital addiction and the risks of online sexual exploitation, which fall under the purview of the . By mandating an age-appropriate online environment, the state government is operationalizing the Doctrine of Parens Patriae (the state acting as the ultimate guardian of children). However, critics argue that strict age-gating might infringe upon a child's Right to Privacy under and their right to access information, necessitating a careful balance between protection and digital inclusion.
International Best Practices
India's state-level initiatives are mirroring a broader global consensus on digital age verification and platform accountability. For instance, Australia recently enforced the landmark in late 2025, effectively banning under-16s from platforms like Instagram and TikTok, with heavy penalties for tech companies failing to comply. Similarly, the US enforces the (COPPA) requiring parental consent for under-13s, while the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets the default age of digital consent at 16. UPSC aspirants should note these global benchmarks, as India's ongoing implementation of the DPDP rules will likely borrow from these frameworks to establish robust Age Assurance Mechanisms without compromising user privacy.