India’s Chief Economic Adviser, V. Anantha Nageswaran, has urged the government to consider age-based restrictions on social media platforms to counter rising digital addiction among children. The recommendation, part of the annual Economic Survey, aligns India with global trends as countries like Australia and France enforce similar measures.
The Economic Survey 2025–26 has spotlighted the growing concern of digital addiction among youth, with India being one of the largest markets for platforms like Meta and YouTube. The Chief Economic Adviser emphasized the need for age-based limits to safeguard younger users from compulsive usage and harmful content.
Key Highlights:
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Policy Recommendation: Age-based restrictions on social media access to protect children.
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Global Context: Australia banned social media for children under 16; France approved a ban for those under 15. Britain, Denmark, and Greece are studying similar measures.
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Family Role: Encouragement of screen-time limits, device-free hours, and offline activities to balance digital exposure.
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Platform Responsibility: Social media companies should enforce age verification and age-appropriate defaults.
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Strategic Vision: Align India’s digital policies with global best practices while safeguarding youth from long-term risks.
This recommendation underscores India’s proactive stance on digital well-being, aiming to balance technological growth with responsible usage. If implemented, such policies could reshape India’s social media landscape, ensuring safer online environments for younger generations.
Sources: Reuters, Economic Times, ThePrint, Business Standard