Source: The Hindu Editorial, “A social media ban will not save our children”, published in February 2026. The article analyses the Ghaziabad tragedy and critically evaluates global and domestic calls for banning social media for children, arguing for regulation over prohibition.
UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper II: Governance, Social Justice and GS Paper I: Society – Youth, Social Issues
Context: On February 4, 2026, the suicide of three sisters aged 12, 14, and 16 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, reportedly linked to screen addiction and parental conflict, triggered nationwide outrage. The tragedy has renewed demands for a blanket ban on social media for children, with policymakers citing global examples such as Australia and Spain.
About the Issue
- There is credible global evidence showing a link between heavy social media use and adolescent mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and body image concerns, especially among teenage girls.
- However, translating these concerns into blanket bans reflects a moral panic response rather than a nuanced policy solution.
Challenges Associated with Social Media Bans in India
- Poor Enforceability & Higher Risks: Bans are easily bypassed through VPNs or false age declarations, often pushing children to unregulated and unsafe digital spaces; mandatory age checks may also enable mass surveillance.
- Mismatch with Adolescent Needs: Social media acts as a vital support and identity space for rural youth, the urban poor, LGBTQ+ adolescents, and children with disabilities.
- Democratic Deficit: Children are rarely consulted in digital policy decisions, weakening participatory governance and policy effectiveness.
- Worsening Gender Divide: With low female internet access, age-based bans risk disproportionately excluding girls, limiting education, exposure, and social mobility.
Global Responses and Moral Panic: Australia has introduced a prohibition on social media access for users below 16 years on major platforms, backed by mandatory age-verification mechanisms and heavy financial penalties, while Spain has announced similar plans to adopt such restrictions.
Way Forward
- Shift from Bans to Regulation: Move away from censorship and takedown-centric approaches towards regulating platform design and power.
- Duty of Care Framework: Enforce child-safety obligations on platforms, supported by penalties and strong digital competition laws.
- Evidence-Based & Inclusive Policy: Invest in India-specific research and actively involve children in policymaking.
- Technology-Neutral Regulation: Address child safety consistently across social media and AI systems, including generative and conversational tools.
Conclusion
A social media ban may offer the illusion of swift action, but it risks undermining children’s rights, safety, and future opportunities—especially for girls and marginalised groups. Protecting children in the digital age requires the harder task of building a healthy media ecosystem, grounded in regulation, accountability, research, and participation.
Question: Critically analyse the challenges associated with imposing social media bans on children in India. Suggest alternative regulatory approaches to protect children’s well-being in the digital age.
