In today’s digital era, smartphones and social media have become an inseparable part of our lives. However, concerned by the adverse effects of excessive usage on children, the government is now considering serious restrictions. Stringent rules are likely to be implemented to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16.
What will happen to the millions of children who already have accounts? What are the new rules being drafted by the government? Here is the complete information.
1. Mandatory Aadhaar for Age Verification?
Opening an account on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter) may soon require more than just an email ID. To verify age, it could become mandatory to link an Aadhaar card or an official identity document. Based on an OTP sent through these documents, if the age is found to be below 16, account creation will be denied.
2. Parental Consent and Control
If it is absolutely necessary for children under 16 to open an account for educational or other specific reasons, Parental Consent will be mandatory. Furthermore, social media companies will have to provide 'Parental Control' options, allowing parents to monitor and manage their children's accounts.
3. Monitoring Mobile Usage in Schools
The government is moving toward a complete ban on mobile phones and social media usage during school hours. There is also a plan to create awareness among children by providing special training in schools regarding digital safety and the misuse of social media.
4. New 'Deadlines' for App Companies
The government is expected to hold talks with social media platforms to impose several strict conditions:
Child Safety Mode: Children’s accounts must mandatorily be set to 'Safety Mode.'
Automatic Blocking: Apps must automatically block messages from strangers and potentially harmful content.
Night Lock: Implementation of a system where apps automatically lock during the night to prevent children from using them.
Heavy Penalties: Platforms that violate these rules and allow underage children to open accounts will face heavy fines.
5. What is the Responsibility of Parents?
Changes cannot be achieved through government regulations alone. Parents must also keep a close watch on their children's online activities. The government’s vision emphasizes that parents must be aware of what their children are doing on the internet.
If these rules are implemented, it will be a major revolution in terms of children's mental health and safety. However, it remains to be seen how today’s tech-savvy generation will react to these restrictions.