Government advisor proposes age-based policies on access to digital platforms in India

NEW DELHI

India's chief economic advisor on Thursday proposed age-based policies on access to digital platforms, saying that “younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content.”

In the economic survey 2025-26, released Thursday, advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran, discussing India's response to digital addiction, said that “families should be educated and encouraged to promote screen-time limits, device-free hours and shared offline activities.”

“Policies on age-based access limits may be considered, as younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content,” he said.

Platforms “should be made responsible for enforcing age verification and age-appropriate defaults, particularly for social media, gambling apps, auto-play features, and targeted advertising,” said Nageswaran.

Promoting “simpler devices” for children, such as basic phones or education-only tablets, along with enforced usage limits and content filters, “can further reduce exposure to harmful material, including violent, sexual, or gambling-related content,” according to the survey.

The suggestions come at a time when at least two Indian states are looking to ban social media for children.

“Trust in social media is breaking down. Children are slipping into relentless usage, affecting their attention spans and education. Women are facing non-stop online abuse. This cannot be ignored,” Nara Lokesh, a minister in Southern Andhra Pradesh state, wrote on US social media company X. “We have ordered a study of legal frameworks for age-appropriate access.”

India has been rapidly expanding its digital footprint in recent years. According to online statistics portal Statista, as of last October, India had the largest Facebook audience worldwide, with more than 403 million users. It said India also has the largest YouTube audience.