Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh said the state is studying Australia’s under-16 social media law, hinting at a potential ban for children under 16 in India.
Andhra Pradesh is mulling Australia-like under-16 social media policy
Davos: The Andhra Pradesh government is considering introducing restrictions on social media usage for children below the age of 16, drawing inspiration from Australia’s recently implemented laws aimed at protecting minors online. The move, if adopted, would mark a significant policy shift in India’s approach to children’s digital safety.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh told Bloomberg News that the state was closely examining Australia’s under-16 social media ban. Emphasising the need for decisive legal action, Lokesh said the government believed a robust legal framework was necessary to address the growing risks children face online.
Australia bans social media for children under 16, becomes first country to do so
“We are studying Australia’s under-16 law, and I believe we need to create a strong legal enactment,” he said, indicating that the issue was being taken seriously at the highest levels of the state administration.
BREAKING: The Andhra Pradesh government is considering a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, inspired by Australia’s recent restrictions aimed at protecting minors online. #socialmedia #socialmediaban #andhrapradesh @naralokesh
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) January 22, 2026
Australia announced its decision to restrict social media access for children under 16 in 2024 amid mounting concerns about mental health, cyberbullying, online abuse, and addictive platform algorithms. The legislation placed responsibility on social media companies to enforce age limits using stringent age-verification systems.
The restrictions came into effect on December 10, 2025, following which social media platforms began deactivating or limiting accounts identified as belonging to users under 16. Reports suggest that millions of teen accounts have since been affected under Australia’s new regulatory regime.
Sources familiar with the matter told TNM that the Andhra Pradesh government is assessing whether a similar framework could be adapted to suit the state’s legal and administrative structure. Officials are reportedly analysing the feasibility of enforcement, age verification mechanisms, and coordination with technology platforms.
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“The leadership feels strongly about the harmful effects of unregulated social media exposure on children. There is serious internal discussion on how a similar law could be implemented in Andhra Pradesh,” a source said.
If the proposal moves forward, Andhra Pradesh would become the first state in India to formally acknowledge and legislate against the potential harm social media poses to minors. While no formal policy announcement has been made yet, the discussions signal a growing recognition among policymakers of the urgent need to safeguard children’s mental health in the digital age.
The development could also trigger wider national debate on regulating children’s access to social media platforms across India.
