Amaravati, Mar 7: The Andhra Pradesh government will ban the use of social media for children under the age of 13, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced on Friday. The policy is expected to be implemented within 90 days as part of efforts to address the growing impact of excessive social media usage among children.
Speaking during discussions on the Appropriation Bill in the Legislative Assembly, Naidu stated that the government is also considering whether restrictions should extend to children aged 13–16, with a final decision to be taken after consultations and consensus among stakeholders. He said: “A discussion is on what to do with regard to children in the 13–16 age group. A decision will be taken after arriving at a consensus.”
Naidu’s announcement comes on the same day that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared a ban on social media for users under 16, reflecting growing concerns among states about the influence of digital platforms on young users.
Last month, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha informed the Assembly that the government was considering legislation to restrict school students’ access to social media. A sub-committee reviewing the matter has held detailed discussions and examined measures adopted by other states, including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Earlier in January, IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh stated that the government would explore legal frameworks for “age-appropriate access” to social media. He emphasised the initiative’s focus on reducing the negative impact of social media on children and women, noting that excessive usage affects attention spans and education.
Major social media companies, including Meta, X, Google, and ShareChat, have been invited to participate in upcoming discussions to examine global best practices and help create a safer digital ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has urged the Central government to consider a national policy on age-based social media regulation. On February 10, TDP Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu met Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and submitted a memorandum recommending a dedicated committee or expert group to draft comprehensive guidelines for minors’ social media access.
The move reflects a growing national focus on regulating social media use among children to ensure their safety and well-being in the digital age.
