Andhra Pradesh Mulls Australia-Style Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

The Andhra Pradesh government is considering a landmark policy that would restrict social media access for children under the age of 16 — taking inspiration from Australia’s under-16 social media…

By Reetam Bodhak

January 22, 2026

3 min read

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The Andhra Pradesh government is considering a landmark policy that would restrict social media access for children under the age of 16 — taking inspiration from Australia’s under-16 social media ban enacted in late 2025. This proposal, discussed by IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh at the World Economic Forum in Davos, reflects growing concern over the impact of unregulated social media on children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Aspect	Details
Proposal	Ban social media use for children under 16 (inspired by Australia)
State	Andhra Pradesh
Initiator	Nara Lokesh, IT & Education Minister
Inspiration Model	Australia’s Online Safety Amendment Act (under-16 ban)
Targeted Platforms	Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and more (based on Australia model)
Aim	Protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, addictive algorithms
Status	Under consideration; not yet law

Why This Proposal Matters

The idea takes inspiration from Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which prohibits minors under 16 from using major social networks and requires age verification and account deactivation if platforms don’t comply. Australia’s law came into effect on 10 December 2025, making it the first of its kind globally.

In Andhra Pradesh, Minister Nara Lokesh explained that many young users may not fully understand the content they encounter online, potentially exposing them to toxic content, misinformation, and harmful environments. He suggested that a strong legal framework might be necessary to protect children’s wellbeing.

This discussion comes amid global debates on the impact of social media on adolescents — mental health experts have linked excessive screen time to anxiety and poor sleep, and numerous jurisdictions are exploring tougher age limits and age verification technologies.

🤔 A Broader Global Trend

Countries worldwide — including the UK and other democracies — are also considering similar policies that restrict teen social media use or require stricter age checks. Debates balance child protection against digital rights and enforcement challenges.

❓ FAQs (Short & Clear)

Q: What exactly is Andhra Pradesh proposing regarding social media for kids?

Andhra Pradesh is considering a law similar to Australia’s ban that would stop children under 16 from using major social media platforms, aiming to protect them from harmful content.