Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Is India set to implement a social media ban for children?

After Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, now <span>Bihar</span> plans to implement <span>social media</span> for children. The Indian government is also reportedly mulling at a larger plan. 

The move is largely aimed at curbing cyberbullying, addiction, and poor mental health. But given India's rapidly evolving digital landscape, can it work, or will it have serious repercussions? Lets, take a look. 

While <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/karnataka-government-to-ban-social-media-for-teens-under-16-article-153768466" data-type="tilCustomLink">Karnataka </a> banned social media for children under 16 to combat negative mental health effects, in Andhra Pradesh, the ban will be applied to children aged 13 and below within the next 90 days. 

Globally, Australia and Indonesia have also effected similar bans. 

The social media bans in India came as the central government, in its <span>Economic Survey</span>, tabled in the Parliament in January this year, stated the need for an age-based access to online platforms and also implored cutting down online teaching to avoid digital addiction. 

"The intent to protect young minds from addiction, misinformation, and harmful content is welcome. However, effectiveness will depend less on restricting children and more on regulating platforms," Dr. <span>Rajendra Pratap Gupta</span>, chairman- Health Parliament, creator of SHE App and former advisor to the Union Health Minister, told HealthandMe.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/karnatakas-social-media-ban-to-help-children-find-life-beyond-screens-article-153778003" data-type="tilCustomLink">Karnataka’s Social Media Ban To Help Children Find Life Beyond Screens</a> 

<h2>Social Media And <span rel="noindex">Teen</span> Health</h2>

A 2025 report by NITI Aayog revealed that children in India aged up to five spent 1.5 hours online on average in 2023, accessing educational videos and games. 

Children between six and 10 years old spent 2.5 hours online using services such as social media, gaming, and videos. 

Further, the Economic Survey 2025-26 also mentioned the high prevalence of <span>social media addiction</span> among those aged 15-24 and linked it with an increase in anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying stress.

Coupled with compulsive scrolling and gaming disorders, Indian youth are increasingly experiencing sleep disruption, aggression, social withdrawal, and depression, with adolescent populations being especially vulnerable.

According to a study published by the Pew Research Center in 2025, showed roughly half of teens (48 percent) say social media sites have a mostly negative effect on people their age.

A December 2025 study by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden showed social media is tied to rising attention problems in teens. 

Several other studies globally have indicated that those teens who spend more time on social media tend to show more symptoms of depression.

These showed that excessive social media use can lead to:

<ul><li>Social isolation </li><li>Decrease physical activity and time spent outdoors</li><li>Sleep loss </li><li>Increase stress</li></ul> 

“For developing young brains, excessive social media exposure has been linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and, most importantly, difficulty with regulating attention and emotions. Algorithms intensify comparison, validation-seeking, and exposure to harmful content, which children lack the maturity to process,” Dr. Sachin Pradeep Baliga, Associate Consultant Mental Health &amp; Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, told HealthandMe. 

In 2023, former US Surgeon General <span>Vivek Murthy</span> named social media as a major threat to the mental health of teens. He also released a social media advisory about social media and mental health.

The advisory indicates that frequent social media use could be associated with changes in parts of the brain related to emotions and learning. Additionally, it can affect impulse control, social behavior, emotional regulation, and sensitivity to social punishments and rewards.

In serious cases, social media can also contribute to self-harm or suicidal thoughts, especially among teens and children facing cyberbullying or trolling. Young people are particularly vulnerable to online pressures, negative comparisons, and feelings of rejection.

At the same time, social media in some ways can also benefit mental health. It provides many teens with a community that helps them through difficult times. 

Many social media platforms also encourage 

<ul><li>help-seeking behaviors </li><li>initiates mental health care </li><li>Affirms sexual identities </li><li>Provides social support</li></ul>Thus, Dr. Baliga said that “a blanket ban may be unrealistic”. Instead, regulating social media for children can be beneficial if implemented thoughtfully. 

“The goal should be age-appropriate access, digital literacy, parental supervision, and platform accountability. Like traffic rules for a busy highway, regulations can protect young minds while still allowing them to access the healthy benefits of digital connection and learning,” the expert said. 

<h2>A Blanket Ban By The Government? </h2>

The Economic Survey stated that as digital access cannot be fully restricted, the establishment of offline youth hubs, particularly in urban slums and rural areas, can be provide alternatives to digital spaces. It also urged moderated online safe spaces hosted by schools or similar institutions.

“Schools play a critical role in shaping digital habits, and hence, they should introduce a Digital Wellness Curriculum covering screen time literacy, cyber safety, and mental health awareness,” it said, while calling for a “holistic approach, including physical and mental health, is essential to ensure a resilient future”.

Recently, the Indian Express reported that the government is not in favor of a ban on social media for children. 

It is instead considering a more nuanced and graded approach in specifying restrictions for children under 18 years as suggested in the Economic Survey, and is likely to be brought forth in the Monsoon session of the Parliament, later this year.

The restrictions will be age-based and categorized among:

<ul><li>8-12 years age, </li><li>12-16 year olds, </li><li>16-18 years </li></ul> 

“Stronger platform accountability, age-appropriate design, and algorithmic responsibility are crucial. Combined with digital literacy and parental awareness, Oversight and control, such measures can create a healthier digital ecosystem; without platform control, regulations risk remaining largely symbolic,” Dr. Gupta said.

<span>Carol Vidal</span>, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, urges parents to become a role model and teach children and teens to have a healthy relationship with social media. 

“Delaying the purchase of smartphones until the child is ready is a good first step. But, it is also important to instill healthy habits in children’s use of screens given that technology — and social media in particular — will be present throughout their lives,” Vidal said.

The expert urges parents to apply strategies such as : 

<ul><li>Taking regular breaks from digital devices</li><li>Turning off notifications</li><li>Establishing phone-free hours and spaces</li><li>Discussing appropriate boundaries and behaviors when interacting online.</li></ul>

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After Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, now Bihar plans to implement social media for children. The Indian government is also reportedly mulling at a larger plan. The move is largely aimed at curbing cyberbullying, addiction, and poor mental health. But given India's rapidly evolving digital landscape, can it work, or will it have serious repercussions? Lets, take a look.  While Karnataka  banned social media for children under 16 to combat negative mental health effects, in Andhra Pradesh, the ban will be applied to children aged 13 and below within the next 90 days.  Globally, Australia and Indonesia have also effected similar bans.  The social media bans in India came as the central government, in its Economic Survey, tabled in the Parliament in January this year, stated the need for an age-based access to online platforms and also implored cutting down online teaching to avoid digital addiction.  "The intent to protect young minds from addiction, misinformation, and harmful content is welcome. However, effectiveness will depend less on restricting children and more on regulating platforms," Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, chairman- Health Parliament, creator of SHE App and former advisor to the Union Health Minister, told HealthandMe.Also read: Karnataka’s Social Media Ban To Help Children Find Life Beyond Screens  Social Media And Teen HealthA 2025 report by NITI Aayog revealed that children in India aged up to five spent 1.5 hours online on average in 2023, accessing educational videos and games. Children between six and 10 years old spent 2.5 hours online using services such as social media, gaming, and videos. Further, the Economic Survey 2025-26 also mentioned the high prevalence of social media addiction among those aged 15-24 and linked it with an increase in anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying stress.Coupled with compulsive scrolling and gaming disorders, Indian youth are increasingly experiencing sleep disruption, aggression, social withdrawal, and depression, with adolescent populations being especially vulnerable.According to a study published by the Pew Research Center in 2025, showed roughly half of teens (48 percent) say social media sites have a mostly negative effect on people their age.A December 2025 study by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden showed social media is tied to rising attention problems in teens.  Several other studies globally have indicated that those teens who spend more time on social media tend to show more symptoms of depression. These showed that excessive social media use can lead to:Social isolation Decrease physical activity and time spent outdoorsSleep loss Increase stress “For developing young brains, excessive social media exposure has been linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and, most importantly, difficulty with regulating attention and emotions. Algorithms intensify comparison, validation-seeking, and exposure to harmful content, which children lack the maturity to process,” Dr. Sachin Pradeep Baliga, Associate Consultant Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, told HealthandMe.  In 2023, former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy named social media as a major threat to the mental health of teens. He also released a social media advisory about social media and mental health. The advisory indicates that frequent social media use could be associated with changes in parts of the brain related to emotions and learning. Additionally, it can affect impulse control, social behavior, emotional regulation, and sensitivity to social punishments and rewards. In serious cases, social media can also contribute to self-harm or suicidal thoughts, especially among teens and children facing cyberbullying or trolling. Young people are particularly vulnerable to online pressures, negative comparisons, and feelings of rejection. At the same time, social media in some ways can also benefit mental health. It provides many teens with a community that helps them through difficult times. Many social media platforms also encourage help-seeking behaviors initiates mental health care Affirms sexual identities Provides social supportThus, Dr. Baliga said that “a blanket ban may be unrealistic”. Instead, regulating social media for children can be beneficial if implemented thoughtfully.  “The goal should be age-appropriate access, digital literacy, parental supervision, and platform accountability. Like traffic rules for a busy highway, regulations can protect young minds while still allowing them to access the healthy benefits of digital connection and learning,” the expert said.  A Blanket Ban By The Government?  The Economic Survey stated that as digital access cannot be fully restricted, the establishment of offline youth hubs, particularly in urban slums and rural areas, can be provide alternatives to digital spaces. It also urged moderated online safe spaces hosted by schools or similar institutions.“Schools play a critical role in shaping digital habits, and hence, they should introduce a Digital Wellness Curriculum covering screen time literacy, cyber safety, and mental health awareness,” it said, while calling for a “holistic approach, including physical and mental health, is essential to ensure a resilient future”.Recently, the Indian Express reported that the government is not in favor of a ban on social media for children. It is instead considering a more nuanced and graded approach in specifying restrictions for children under 18 years as suggested in the Economic Survey, and is likely to be brought forth in the Monsoon session of the Parliament, later this year.The restrictions will be age-based and categorized among:8-12 years age, 12-16 year olds, 16-18 years  “Stronger platform accountability, age-appropriate design, and algorithmic responsibility are crucial. Combined with digital literacy and parental awareness, Oversight and control, such measures can create a healthier digital ecosystem; without platform control, regulations risk remaining largely symbolic,” Dr. Gupta said.What Parents Can Do? Carol Vidal, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, urges parents to become a role model and teach children and teens to have a healthy relationship with social media. “Delaying the purchase of smartphones until the child is ready is a good first step. But, it is also important to instill healthy habits in children’s use of screens given that technology — and social media in particular — will be present throughout their lives,” Vidal said. The expert urges parents to apply strategies such as : Taking regular breaks from digital devicesTurning off notificationsEstablishing phone-free hours and spacesDiscussing appropriate boundaries and behaviors when interacting online.