India is in talks with social media companies to explore age-based restrictions on online platforms, Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Tuesday, in what could mark a significant step in regulating the digital lives of the country’s millions of young users.
“Many countries have accepted that age-based restrictions have to be there,” Vaishnaw said during a press conference at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. “Right now we are in conversation regarding deepfakes, regarding age-based restrictions, with the various social media platforms.”
The minister added that the government is reviewing “the right way” to implement such regulations but did not specify which companies were involved in the discussions.
India is one of the world’s largest markets for social media, with over 500 million users across platforms such as Meta Platforms, Google, and Twitter. Any regulation in the country, home to a population of 1.4 billion, could have global implications for the tech giants.
Globally, governments have been increasingly scrutinizing social media platforms over the risks posed to children and adolescents. Australia in December 2025 became the first country to ban users under 16 from accessing major platforms, a move that prompted discussions in other regions about how to protect minors online while balancing freedom of expression.
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Indian authorities have also raised concerns over the spread of deepfakes, misinformation, cyberbullying, and other online harms. Vaishnaw emphasized that the government’s aim is to protect vulnerable users without stifling innovation or limiting the potential of digital services for adults.
Analysts say that implementing age-based restrictions in India would be technically complex. Platforms would need to verify the age of hundreds of millions of users, adjust content moderation systems, and potentially alter advertising strategies, which rely heavily on engagement metrics.
“India is a pivotal market for all major social media platforms, and any regulatory changes will have far-reaching effects,” said an independent digital policy analyst based in Mumbai. “Companies will need to balance compliance with user experience and business objectives.”
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The Indian government has been gradually increasing oversight of digital platforms. Recent measures include mandatory reporting of harmful content, rules for social media intermediaries, and transparency requirements for artificial intelligence tools. Discussions over age-based restrictions form part of a broader effort to establish a comprehensive framework for online safety and digital governance.
Tech companies have not publicly commented on India’s latest discussions, but industry observers note that platforms are increasingly preparing for stricter regulations in major emerging markets. India’s approach could influence policy trends in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where governments are watching closely how leading digital markets are regulated.
With children and teenagers representing a large segment of social media users in India, regulators face a delicate balancing act: enabling access to educational and social resources online while protecting minors from exploitation and harmful content.
Vaishnaw’s remarks signal that age-based restrictions, long debated by regulators and advocacy groups, may move closer to reality in India. The government has yet to announce a timeline for legislation or formal guidelines. In the meantime, discussions with social media companies are ongoing, with a focus on finding a practical and enforceable approach.
As global attention on online safety grows, India’s policy decisions will be closely watched by industry, regulators, and civil society groups around the world. Any action taken in New Delhi could reshape how digital platforms manage young users, not just in India but in other major internet markets as well.
India is one of the world’s largest social media markets, with more than 500 million users across platforms such as Meta Platforms, Google, and Twitter. Regulatory scrutiny has increased in recent years as the government seeks to address issues including misinformation, online harassment, privacy, and the impact of digital content on minors.
In December 2025, Australia implemented a nationwide ban on social media use for anyone under 16 on major platforms, signaling growing global attention to age-based restrictions. Indian authorities have indicated that similar measures could be considered in India, which has a population of 1.4 billion and a large share of young social media users.
The Ministry of Information Technology, led by Ashwini Vaishnaw, has also been discussing broader regulatory measures with platforms, including safeguards against deepfakes and harmful content. The government has stressed the need for regulations that balance digital innovation, freedom of expression, and protection for children online.
Global social media companies with significant Indian user bases have been preparing for potential regulatory changes, as compliance with age verification or content restrictions could affect advertising models, user engagement, and revenue. Analysts note that India’s regulatory actions often influence policy trends across Asia and emerging markets.
