India May Impose Stricter Social Media Rules for Children, IT Minister Signals

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the need for stricter regulations on social media and deepfakes to ensure children’s digital safety. He also highlighted plans for a techno-legal approach to counter negative AI impacts and announced expectations of $200 billion in IT sector investment over the next two years.

Protecting Children Online

Minister Vaishnaw stressed that children must be safeguarded from inappropriate content. He noted that several countries already implement age-based content and access controls, and India is considering similar measures. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act already defines age-based categories indicating which content is suitable for children and which is not.

The IT Minister suggested that future regulations may enforce strict controls on content visibility for children on social media platforms. He also clarified that global platforms such as Netflix, Meta, and X will have to operate within India’s legal framework and constitutional limits.

Techno-Legal Measures Against Negative AI

Vaishnaw called for a techno-legal approach to mitigate the negative effects of AI, while ensuring that AI is used for positive purposes. The government is working with the AI Safety Institute to develop solutions that neutralize harmful AI applications.

AI as the Fifth Industrial Revolution

The Minister described AI as ushering in the fifth industrial revolution, promising more affordable healthcare and education. He emphasized that the projected $200 billion investment will span five layers of the IT stack, supporting funds for deep tech solutions, applications, and other large-scale AI initiatives.

Social Media and AI Policies Under Discussion

Vaishnaw also noted that parliamentary committees have studied these issues and provided recommendations. He invited stakeholders to contribute feedback, underlining that India is actively shaping policy frameworks to protect children, manage deepfake risks, and maximize AI benefits while minimizing harms.