India may also impose a ban on children’s use of social media

New Delhi – Addiction to social media among young children is increasing rapidly. Content available on social media can be harmful to children and may have an adverse impact on their minds. Therefore, many countries around the world are imposing restrictions on children’s use of social media. Australia has banned children under the age of 16 from using social media, becoming the first country in the world to do so. Recommendations to limit children’s use of social media have been made in the Economic Survey report. The report also recommends imposing a ban on children’s use of social media.

Social media accounts of children closed in Australia

Australia has shut down social media accounts of children under the age of 16. Social media companies criticized the move; however, the Australian Government received strong support from parents. The new law enacted by Australia is called the ‘Online Safety Amendment Act.’ Under this law, the responsibility of closing children’s accounts has been assigned to the social media platforms themselves. If children under 16 are found using apps, they are being ‘blocked.’ Additionally, platforms have put systems in place to prevent them from opening new accounts again.

Process underway for a ban in Goa and Andhra Pradesh

The states of Goa and Andhra Pradesh have initiated the process of banning children’s use of social media. In India, platforms claim that children under the age of 18 must obtain parental consent to use social media apps, and only then are they allowed access. There are also rules requiring monitoring of children’s behaviour and prohibiting targeted advertisements aimed at them; however, these rules are not being followed by social media apps and the companies operating them.