Syllabus: GS2/Governance
Context
- Meta is set to introduce new default restrictions for teenagers on Instagram and Facebook in the US after signing an $18 billion settlement with 52 state attorneys general that requires new safety measures for young users.
About
- The settlement comes amid a set of lawsuits over alleged harms caused by social-media platforms to children and teenagers.
- The states alleged that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to keep young people compulsively engaged, knew about serious risks and misled the public about them.
- They also accused Meta of collecting personal information from children under 13 without complying with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Instagram and Facebook’s new features for minors include the following:
- A two-hour daily limit that’s cumulative across Facebook and Instagram, which teens can only turn off with a parent’s permission and which doesn’t include messaging.
- “Night mode,” in which teens will not have access to features such as their feed, stories and reels between midnight and 6 a.m. They will still be able to access messaging.
- The ability for teens or parents to disable autoplay on the two platforms, requiring the teens to tap or swipe to see more content.
- The removal of like and reaction statistics on all forms of posts.
- Teens or parents can choose a non-algorithmic feed that isn’t personalized by the systems’ recommendations and will only include content from accounts that teens follow or are otherwise connected to.
- Stronger age assurance technology to remove under 13-year-olds and ensure 13-to 17-year-olds access the age-appropriate versions of the apps.
- The agreement is also tied to Meta’s push for similar restrictions across other social media platforms.
Ban of Social Media for underage Children
- Though India is yet to make a regulatory move at the central level, preliminary discussions around age-based social media restrictions are learnt to have begun at the IT Ministry.
- The Economic Survey 2025-26 also called on the government to implement age-based limits for social media usage for children and digital ads targeted at them.
- The Survey’s recommendation stemmed from larger concerns surrounding “digital addiction” among young users.
Need for Ban/Regulation of Social Media for Underage Users in India
- Protection from Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: Children frequently face cyberbullying, trolling, and online abuse, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
- Mental Health and Psychological Well-being: Social media algorithms promote addictive scrolling, unrealistic body images, and peer pressure, negatively affecting adolescents’ mental health.
- Exposure to Harmful or Inappropriate Content: Underage users may encounter violent, explicit, or misleading content that is unsuitable for their age and maturity level.
- Protection from Online Predators and Exploitation: Children are vulnerable to grooming, sexual exploitation, and trafficking risks on online platforms.
- Reducing Screen Addiction and Improving Academic Focus: Excessive social media use leads to screen addiction, reducing study time, concentration, and physical activity.
- Protection of Personal Data and Privacy: Minors often share personal information unknowingly, making them vulnerable to data misuse, identity theft, and targeted manipulation.
- Combating Misinformation and Radicalisation: Children may easily believe fake news, propaganda, or harmful online challenges, affecting their judgement and behaviour.
Challenges in Implementing a Ban on Social Media for Underage Users in India
- Difficulty in Age Verification: Most social media platforms rely on self-declared age, making it easy for minors to create accounts with false information.
- Strict verification may require identity documents, raising privacy concerns.
- Technical and Enforcement Challenges: Implementing restrictions across millions of users and multiple platforms is complex.
- Policy Inconsistency: If different states adopt different age limits, it may create legal and operational confusion.
- Impact on Digital Rights and Freedom of Expression: Blanket bans could restrict children’s right to information, expression, and participation in the digital space.
- Risk of Driving Users to Unsafe Platforms: If mainstream platforms restrict access, teenagers may move to less regulated or anonymous platforms, which may expose them to greater risks.
- Widening the Digital Divide: In India, social media is often used for learning, awareness, and communication. Restrictions may disproportionately affect children from disadvantaged backgrounds who rely on digital platforms for information.
Australia’s Model of Social Media Regulation
- Australia became the first country to introduce a minimum age for social media use.
- Under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act:
- Social media platforms must block users under 16.
- Platforms must identify and remove existing accounts of under-16 users.
- They must prevent new accounts or workarounds.
- Mechanisms must exist to correct errors in account removal.
- Rationale Behind the Australian Law
- It is aimed to protect children from online risks and psychological pressure.
- Issues identified:
- Addictive design features that increase screen time.
- Harmful content affecting mental health and wellbeing.
- A survey by the Australian eSafety Commissioner found over 50% of young Australians experienced cyberbullying on social media.
Conclusion
- A balanced approach combining regulation, platform responsibility, digital literacy, and parental involvement is essential to ensure children’s online safety while protecting their digital rights and access to information.
Source: BS
