Indian children under 18 will now need parental consent to join social media platforms. The draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, released by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information, requires “verifiable consent” to be obtained from parents or guardians before processing the personal data of minors, ensuring that they are protected from exploitation.
The regulations are a step towards protection digital well-being minors in India. “This move is in line with global trends, emphasizing the protection of children in the digital sphere, especially in the face of increased cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content and privacy breaches targeting young users,” said Vinesh Menon, Director General and CEO, ARISE ( Association for Reinventing School Education), a non-profit organization.
“This rule can promote a safer environment for minors, reduce impulsive and harmful usage patterns, and encourage responsible digital habits by involving parents in their children’s online choices,” he adds.
Children may gravitate more toward platforms and activities that are considered educational or constructive when parents supervise them.
The draft regulations are in line with global trends in child protection in the digital sphere. For example, COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998) in the USA makes it necessary that parents be consulted before collecting personal data about children under 13 years of age.
For the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation set the threshold at 16, although member states could lower it to 13. These laws have shaped safer digital landscapes while trying to balance children’s rights to information and expression.
Screens today fill so many roles, ranging from learning, working, social connection, chilling and entertainment. Research has correlated screen time to poor sleep, low self-esteem, higher anxiety, depression symptoms, sedentary lifestyle and lower psychological well-being.
“Today, there is nothing to stop a 10 or 11-year-old from saying they are 18 and opening a social media account. After that, it’s hard to keep track of what information the child is consuming. Most parents say it’s a constant struggle to keep phone usage in check,” explains Shalini Sharma, Deputy Director (Counseling and Wellness), Plaksha University, Punjab.
Online issues such as cyberbullying, sexting and exposure to inappropriate content and predators are some of the things children struggle with today. It helps to wait a little longer to give them access to phones and social media.
“However, there is no magic age for it; as a psychologist, I suggest you postpone the use of social media until at least the age of 14-15. Developmentally, at this age, skepticism and the need to question everything is built up. We want our children to question and think about what they see on social media, says Sharma.
At this age, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a child to fully understand the impact of their actions on others, online or otherwise, and they mostly absorb whatever they see. “Most of the socializing is done online and group plans are made through texts or chats. A child can feel left out or left out when others in the friend group have a phone, and that can feel like a big deal to a 12- or 13-year-old,” adds Sharma .
So it is important to weigh the socialization piece when deciding on access to social media. As the Internet expands rapidly and the interface becomes more user-friendly, experts believe that it is imperative to have age limits for children under 18 on social media, primarily to ensure their safety and to address their developmental needs and mental health.
Highlighting some key reasons, Menon says, “Children, due to their innate nature, do not fully understand the implications of sharing personal information online. Social media usually collects sensitive information and minors are unaware of the risks of sharing details like location , contact information or other private data. Social media platforms often contain an overwhelming mix of unedited content.”
Children may lack the cognitive and emotional maturity to critically evaluate and filter this information. Early exposure can lead to skewed perceptions of body image, self-esteem and societal norms.
Age restrictions, combined with parental consent, create a layer of accountability that may also encourage social media platforms to implement stricter moderation. “For a country like India, where family values emphasize strong parental control, this regulation could encourage a more supportive attitude towards digital engagement,” explains Menon.
Sarah Anjum, Head of IT at Stonehill International School, Bengaluru, agrees that age protection for children under 18 is crucial: “Social media exposes children to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and privacy invasions, which can affect their mental health and emotional well-being. By implementing age-gating, platforms can limit access to harmful material and encourage safer interactions.”
It will enable parents to play an active role in guiding their children’s online behavior. For example, parents can guide children to engage in educational or creative platforms instead of unrestricted or harmful ones.
In a country where more than 100 million youth are Internet users, implementing verifiable parental consent can be challenging, especially in rural areas where digital literacy is not as advanced. The decision should be supported by full-fledged digital literacy programs for both parents and children. Psychoeducation, digital literacy and skills to manage online presence safely, such as blocking certain content based on keywords, are areas to focus on, rather than depending solely on the legal regulatory process. A one-size-fits-all approach may not work.
