Amaravati, Feb 10 (NationPress) The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has called on the Centre to explore age-based regulations for social media. On Tuesday, TDP Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu met with Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw to submit a memorandum advocating for policy discussions focused on regulating social media access for children based on age.

He proposed that the Ministry form a dedicated committee or expert group tasked with examining age-based regulations and crafting a comprehensive national policy.

The TDP MP informed the Central minister that the NDA Government in Andhra Pradesh is actively pursuing this matter and is working towards a robust legal framework aimed at safeguarding children online.

Devarayalu also noted that he had previously introduced a Private Member's Bill on Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety). This Bill proposes key measures including a minimum age for social media access, mandatory age verification processes, and the permanent deletion of children's data collected during verification. It also emphasizes strict enforcement and penalties for non-compliance.

He highlighted the growing concerns regarding children's safety on social media platforms. “In India, around 90% of children aged 14-16 have access to smartphones, and over 75% of them use social media mainly for entertainment. Studies show that more than 60% of minors face online bullying, and nearly half encounter age-inappropriate or harmful content. Increased social media usage has been correlated with rising levels of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among teenagers, with platforms continuing to collect and profit from children's data without sufficient protections,” the memorandum states.

“Recent tragic cases in India have amplified this issue. Reports from Ghaziabad and Lucknow documented minors who lost their lives due to severe digital addiction, cyberbullying, and psychological distress, raising nationwide alarm. The Economic Survey 2025-26 has also highlighted escalating digital addiction among youth, linking high social media use to significant mental health risks,” the TDP MP noted, including news summaries and extracts from the Economic Survey.

Devarayalu pointed out that several countries have started addressing this challenge through effective legislative measures. Australia has implemented a ban on social media access for children under 16, while Denmark, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand are considering or advancing similar age-based restrictions as part of wider online safety regulations. This trend signifies a growing global consensus that parental controls alone are inadequate, and that accountability must lie with the platforms themselves.