Australia's Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 Gains Support from Indian Parents and Educators

NEW DELHI: As Australian lawmakers push forward with “world-leading legislation” to ban social media for children under 16, the move has sparked heated discussions worldwide. In India, the debate has received widespread attention, with parents, educators, and influencers voicing their perspectives on the issue. While some parents are calling for similar regulations in India, many content creators argue that awareness and guidance are more effective than a complete ban.

Social Media Ban for Children The Concerns of Indian Parents: Impact on Mental Health and Self-Perception

The addictive nature of platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and X has long been a concern among Indian parents. With social media heavily influencing how young people perceive themselves, many parents believe it affects not only their children’s mental health but also their decision-making and time management skills. Sapna Trivedi, a Class 12 student, admits to spending hours on Instagram daily, noting, “I waste my time using it.” For her, like many others, social media is both a distraction and a source of pressure.

Hema Natarajan, a teacher and mother of twin teenage girls, observes that constant exposure to other people’s lives on social media can weaken children’s ability to think independently. “Their language has become atrocious, and their communication with those around them has reduced drastically,” she laments, underscoring the subtle but powerful impact on children’s social skills.

Cyberbullying and the “Coolness” Pressure

Beyond addiction, social media introduces an added layer of pressure, especially with the normalization of online “coolness” as early as Class 6. Lakshmi Satish, a Bengaluru-based teacher and mother, points out the superficial “cool factor” associated with having a social media presence. “Their identity revolves around likes, comments, and followers,” she says, adding that cyberbullying and peer pressure are pervasive and often damaging.

Social media’s emphasis on popularity, driven by likes and shares, can often leave young minds feeling inadequate or isolated. For parents like Australian-based Abhinav Sharma, a dentist and father of an 11-year-old, the platform fosters unhealthy competition among children. “Instead of positive competition in sports or studies, there’s a race for likes and views,” he says, concerned that social media redirects children’s focus from growth-oriented activities to a virtual contest for attention.

An Alternative View: Balance, Education, and Parental Guidance

While some parents call for stricter regulations, others believe that banning social media may not be the answer. Ghaziabad-based teacher Pooja Verma is one such parent who finds value in educational content available on YouTube. For her children, aged 11 and 13, YouTube has been a valuable tool for learning, whether through science and math tutorials or storytelling videos. “We are generally close by when they use the tablet and encourage them to watch educational content,” she explains.

Social media content creators, too, have a strong stance on the issue. Arun Singh, a journalist and digital influencer known as “Jhumroo,” argues that banning social media would only intensify its appeal. “A complete ban only leads to rebellion,” he says, suggesting that teenagers might resort to finding alternate ways to access restricted content. Instead, Singh advocates for an approach akin to sex education, where teenagers are guided, not restricted. “You can’t prevent attraction, just like you can’t eliminate curiosity about social media. What we can do is counsel them and help them understand.”

The Path Forward: Finding a Balanced Solution

As debates continue over Australia’s social media ban for minors, Indian parents and educators are contemplating a balanced approach that combines protection with guidance. For some, regulation is necessary to protect young minds from social media’s downsides. For others, especially influencers and digital advocates, education and responsible usage training offer a more sustainable solution.

As India navigates this conversation, the views reflect a complex, nuanced issue. Both perspectives highlight the need for a mindful approach to young people’s social media usage, balancing protection with the recognition that social media, like all technology, is best used as a tool for growth rather than a cause for restriction.