What happened
BJP MP Baijayant Panda listed a private member’s Bill in the Lok Sabha focused on restricting children’s access to social media and online gaming platforms. The Bill was earlier scheduled but could not be tabled due to Lok Sabha adjournment. The proposal is placed within a larger debate on whether age-based restrictions should apply for children under 13 or under 16.
Background and earlier position
Panda argued that social media algorithms can foster addiction and intensify narrow or extreme viewpoints, with particular harm to young teenagers and children. He cited stakeholder consultations during drafting and referred to policy experiences from other countries that introduce age-based restrictions for minors. Panda also mentioned the wider debate on platform accountability, including the Union government’s stand-off with Meta.
What changed now: key provisions in the Bill
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