By Reshma Gowramma
Educator at KALS.
As concerns over children’s mental health and online safety intensify, governments across the world are debating a ban on social media use for those under the age of 16. What was once seen as a space for connection and creativity is increasingly being viewed as a potential risk zone for young minds.
Experts warn that excessive social media use among children can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep disorders, and exposure to harmful content. Cyberbullying, online predators, and unrealistic beauty standards are cited as serious threats that young users may not be emotionally equipped to handle. Psychologists are of the opinion that early and unsupervised exposure can affect attention span, academic performance, and real-life social skills.
The proposed ban is a necessary step to protect children during their most formative years. Age restrictions already exist for activities such as driving and social media-given its psychological impact-should be no different.
Most social media platforms set a minimum age of 13, guided by laws such as the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). However, stricter regulations are emerging, with some regions moving toward a 16-year age limit to protect minors from cyberbullying and harmful content. In India, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 mandates parental consent for users under 18, strengthening safeguards for children online.
However, the practicality of enforcing such a restriction is a challenge and age verification remains weak. There are also concerns that a blanket ban could limit access to educational content, creative expression, and digital literacy, which are essential skills in today’s technology-driven world.
Parents and educators find themselves at the centre of the debate. While many welcome stricter regulations and also stress the importance of guidance over prohibition. Teaching children how to use social media responsibly is crucial and may be more effective than an outright ban.
As policymakers weigh the benefits and challenges it is clear that conversation around social media and children is no longer optional. Whether through a ban or better regulation, safeguarding young users has become a pressing priority in the digital age.
