In a significant move, Amaravati's Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, announced on March 6 that the government of Andhra Pradesh will impose a ban on social media usage for individuals below the age of 13. Additionally, discussions are underway regarding the potential restriction of social media for the 13-16 age group, with a final decision pending consensus.

During his address concerning the Appropriation Bill in the State Legislative Assembly, Naidu emphasized that measures to enforce this ban will be implemented within a 90-day timeframe.

He mentioned, "We are currently discussing the next steps for the 13-16 age group. A decision will be made once we reach a consensus."

This announcement coincided with Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's declaration of a social media ban for those under 16 years old.

Previously, Andhra Pradesh's Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha had revealed in the Assembly that the government is evaluating legislation to prohibit social media access for school students.

The sub-committee tasked with this review has met multiple times to deliberate on the matter thoroughly.

They examined the strategies being employed in neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Earlier in January, Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology and Electronics, indicated that the government intends to analyze legal frameworks to ensure 'age-appropriate access' to social media.

Lokesh assured that the government is committed to transforming social media into a safer environment, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children, highlighting concerns about excessive usage affecting children's focus and educational progress.

The minister revealed that a group of ministers has initiated a study on legal frameworks for age-appropriate social media access and has invited major platforms like Meta, X, Google, and Sharechat to participate in discussions about global best practices. "We aim to make social media a safer space, mitigating its harmful effects, especially for women and children," Lokesh stated.

The committee is also exploring options to limit or completely restrict access to specific social media platforms for the 13-16 age demographic.

On February 10, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) urged the central government to consider establishing age-based regulations for social media usage.

Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, TDP Parliamentary Party leader, met with the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw to present a memorandum advocating for policy discussions surrounding age-based social media regulations.

He suggested the formation of a specialized committee to examine age-based regulations and propose a comprehensive national policy.