“Our Children’s Minds Will Not Be Sold”: Andhra Pradesh and Goa Consider Social Media Ban for Minors Following France-Australia Model

New Delhi / Paris: In a move that could reshape digital safety for children, Andhra Pradesh and Goa are reportedly preparing to introduce restrictions on social media use for minors. The initiative follows similar steps taken internationally, with France recently banning social media for children under 15 and Australia being the first country to impose a nationwide ban on platforms for those under 16.

France Leads the Way
France’s new legislation, approved by the National Assembly with a 130-21 vote, will come into effect from the next academic session in September. The law also imposes restrictions on mobile phone use within high schools. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the measure is guided by scientific recommendations and reflects overwhelming public demand. He stated, “Our children’s minds are not for sale—to American platforms, nor to Chinese networks. Their dreams should not be directed by algorithms.”

While the law enjoys broad support, left-wing critics have argued that certain provisions infringe on individual freedoms. Macron, politically weakened after dissolving Parliament, is nevertheless pushing this restriction as one of his final major initiatives before leaving office.

India Considers Following Suit
In India, the debate on restricting social media for minors has gained momentum. In December 2025, the Madras High Court recommended that the central government seriously consider banning social media for children under 16, citing easy access to online pornography as a major concern.

Andhra Pradesh and Goa in Discussion
On Wednesday, a Group of Ministers (GoM) in Andhra Pradesh, chaired by Information and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh, is set to discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a ban. Officials have studied international models and prepared a note highlighting the positive effects of social media restrictions on children’s attention span, physical interaction with peers, and emotional well-being. The note also cites concerns about the “digital cliff,” referring to the potential social and psychological impact of abrupt exposure to social media at age 16.

The formation of the GoM in Andhra Pradesh follows incidents last October when morphed obscene images of women in the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) circulated online, prompting the need for a regulatory framework for social media.

Protecting Children from Online Harm
Following Australia’s lead, the proposed restrictions aim to protect minors from online abuse, cyberbullying, and addictive algorithms. Andhra Pradesh is poised to become the first Indian state to consider such measures, with Goa reportedly exploring similar restrictions.