Australia has announced a ban social media for kids under 16. This move has sparked discussions in India and now various news platform has given it flurry - should India also ban Social media for kids under 16 years?
Australia’s recent decision to ban social media for kids under 16 has ignited a worldwide debate, and now India is asking if it should follow suit. This bold move aims to protect children from online risks like cyberbullying, harmful content, and the mental health challenges that social media often brings. But is banning social media really the answer for India?
The Norwegian government plans to add new protections to stop kids from bypassing age limits. They aim to update the law so users must be at least 15 to agree to data use on social media, and they’re working on a system to verify users' ages. Many countries have already passed the laws to raise minimum age limits for social media use.
Almost one-fourth of India's population is in the age group of 0-14 years. With one of the world’s youngest populations, who are exposed to digital content from a young age. It is common to see toddlers engrossed in watching videos or playing games on tablets or mobile phones as per study by Statista. In this increasingly wired digital world, the risks to children’s well-being are real, leading many Indian parents, experts, and lawmakers to wonder why India isn’t acting faster. Is India waiting too long to safeguard children’s digital health?
Dr. Prashant Mali, a Cyber Law expert, proposes a high-tech solution: “Social media companies like META—which includes Facebook and Instagram—as well as gaming companies should use AI-enabled video KYC to determine the age of users,” he suggests. This would involve artificial intelligence-driven video and image analyzers embedded in KYC software that can verify a child’s age, blocking underage users from creating accounts. Dr. Mali also points out that these AI tools could filter content based on age-appropriateness, ensuring kids are only exposed to suitable material.
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Some parents and experts in India are already calling for a ban similar to Australia’s. They argue that platforms like Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat expose young users to dangerous content, unrealistic beauty standards, screen addiction and ongoing mental health struggles. They believe limiting access to these platforms could protect children from these pitfalls.
However, others argue that education, not restriction, is key. Could cyber safety programs and education and awareness teach kids to navigate social media responsibly, reducing the need for a full ban?
So, what’s the best path for India? Should India enact a social media ban for kids under 16, or explore high-tech solutions and education-based approaches? The way India approaches this issue could set a precedent, influencing tech policy and shaping the future of digital youth.
Sources:
UNICEF DATA UNICEF India statista.com Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data data.unicef.org www.unicef.org
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