Britain Cracks Down On Big Tech To Protect Children Online, Pressure Mounts On India
The UK government announced plans to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to protect them from harmful content and excessive screen time. India, with 119 crore mobile users and 500 million social media users, faces growing pressure to implement similar age-based restrictions, with state governments like Karnataka and Goa already exploring such measures.
The UK government has introduced legislation to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the ban aims to shield children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and excessive online interactions. The move follows concerns over the mental health impacts of social media use among young users. India, with the world’s largest population of active mobile users—119 crore as of April 2026—faces escalating scrutiny over child online safety. A 2026 survey by Rukam Capital and YouGov revealed that 73% of Indian children aged 9 to 16 own smartphones with internet access. The country also hosts 500 million unique social media users, with platforms like YouTube (500 million), Facebook (403 million), and Instagram (481 million) dominating usage. Experts warn that unregulated social media access exposes children to cyberbullying, misinformation, and addictive algorithms, contributing to anxiety and depression. Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran suggested age-based access limits in India’s 2026 Economic Survey, recommending screen-time restrictions and offline activities to mitigate risks. State-level action is underway. Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced plans to restrict under-16 children from using social media during the state budget speech in March. Goa’s IT Minister Rohan Khaunte also proposed examining similar restrictions, citing Australia’s recent measures. While India has not yet implemented a nationwide ban, the UK’s move may accelerate discussions on stricter regulations. The UK’s policy aligns with global trends, with countries like Australia, France, and Spain exploring child social media restrictions. As India evaluates its approach, policymakers must balance digital access with safeguarding young users from online harms.
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