AP Moves to Curb Social Media Use Among Under-13 Children with Landmark Safety Law

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to introduce a comprehensive law to regulate social media access for children below 13 years, signalling a major policy shift toward strengthening child safety in the digital space. IT Minister Nara Lokesh directed officials to draft the framework following a high-level GoM meeting with senior officials and representatives from leading tech platforms. The proposed legislation aims to create a graded framework based on age, ensuring safe digital participation while restricting exposure to harmful content. A structured system is also being planned for adolescents aged 13 to 16, aligned with global best practices from countries such as Singapore, Australia, and Denmark.

The move comes amid rising global concerns over the mental health impact of social media on children. Studies have linked excessive usage to anxiety , depression , poor sleep patterns, and declining academic performance. Experts warn that early exposure increases vulnerability to cyberbullying , online abuse, and harmful or misleading content. Prolonged usage is also associated with addictive behaviour , reduced attention span, and issues such as low self-esteem , making regulatory intervention increasingly necessary.

To ensure effective enforcement, the government is exploring age verification systems, including “ age tokens ” linked with DigiLocker , aimed at authenticating users without compromising privacy. The minister also called for appointing adjudicating authorities under Section 46 of the IT Act to strengthen enforcement and ensure faster resolution of cyber violations. He reiterated a strict stance against abusive and hateful content online, particularly targeting women.

Alongside regulation, the state is focusing on awareness through digital literacy initiatives. These include cyber safety education during school No Bag Day programmes, sessions at parent-teacher meetings, and outreach through SHGs to educate women on cyber risks. With participation from platforms like Meta, Google, Snapchat, ShareChat, and Josh, the government will also seek public feedback and submit recommendations to the Centre, aiming to contribute to a broader national framework for safer digital ecosystems for children.