What happened: a civilisational framing of social media governance for minors

The Hindu opinion argues that social media can harm minors through manipulation, addiction, bullying, and exposure to harmful content. The author’s central claim is that fear should not become the main driver of policy, because outright bans are not necessarily the best solution for managing digital risks for children.

Background and earlier position: societies have repeatedly responded with anxiety to major communications technologies

The opinion links the social media debate to a recurring historical pattern: societies often respond with anxiety when major communications technologies emerge, including the printing press, radio/TV, and the internet. Across these waves, the durable policy question is how to ensure responsible use rather than trying to stop information flow.

What changed now: smartphones, scale, and the social-media plus AI environment

The opinion argues that smartphone-driven scale and speed magnify the harm risk for minors. It also highlights the combined influence of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies, which can increase both the reach of harmful content and the sophistication of manipulation.

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