In a move that could set a major precedent for digital safety in India, the Andhra Pradesh government is actively exploring a proposal to ban social media usage for children under the age of 16.
The announcement came from Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology and Human Resources, during his participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 at Davos. The Minister revealed that the state is closely studying the Australian model, which recently made headlines globally for implementing similar age-restricted social media laws.
Protecting Mental Health in a Digital Age
Minister Nara Lokesh emphasized the urgent need for such a framework in India, citing the deep impact of digital platforms on young minds.
Lack of Awareness: Children often fail to distinguish between the pros and cons of social media.
Mental Health Risks: The Minister raised concerns over the psychological toll and unsafe exposure that unregulated social media access creates for minors.
Strategic Study: The AP government is currently analyzing the legal and technical feasibility of implementing this "Australia-style" ban. Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Up to 24 Hours of Battery Life, Twilight Blue - Limited Edition
TDP Advocacy: Shielding "Emotionally Immature" Users
Backing the Minister's stance, TDP National Spokesperson Deepak Reddy stated that the primary goal is the emotional well-being of the youth.
"Children are not emotionally mature enough to process the negative and harmful content freely available online. It is our duty to protect them. The Andhra Pradesh government is committed to adopting global best practices to safeguard our next generation," Reddy remarked.
The Global Context
The proposal mirrors a landmark law passed in Australia (late 2024/2025), which mandates social media giants to enforce age verification or face hefty fines. If Andhra Pradesh moves forward with this, it could become the first Indian state to implement such a stringent age-gating policy for digital platforms. Also Read: Parakram Diwas 2026: India Honors Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on His 129th Birth Anniversary