Economic Survey calls for age-based limits on social media access, urges curbs to tackle digital addiction

NEW DELHI: The Economic Survey for fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) has called for age-based restrictions on social media access, citing rising concerns over “digital addiction” among minors and aligning India with a broader global push to curb underage use of major platforms.

The survey, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, stopped short of recommending an outright ban but urged limits on underage access, alongside stricter age verification, curbs on auto-play features, and restrictions on targeted advertising for minors. “Younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content,” it said, citing links to lower student productivity and long-term earnings outcomes.

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The recommendation comes as governments globally move to tighten controls on children’s access to social platforms. Australia has passed what it calls world-first legislation that will prohibit social media use for those under 16, with fines of up to AUD 50 million for non-compliant companies. The law, due to take effect later this year, has been welcomed by child-safety advocates and criticized by free-speech groups and youth organizations.

On Wednesday, France’s national assembly passed a bill to ban children under 15 from social media, which must still be approved by the senate. The UK, Denmark, and Greece are also examining similar measures.

Digital dilemma

In India, stakes are large. The country has about 350 million social media users, including a sizeable underage population, with many spending six to seven hours a day on such platforms. The survey links excessive usage to a range of harms, including anxiety, depression, cyberbullying and cyber fraud, alongside losses in study time and productivity.

The digital economy accounted for 11.74% of GDP in FY23 and is projected to have risen to 13.42% by FY25, underscoring the tension between rapid platform growth and emerging social costs.

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Experts have cautioned that sudden restrictions could also have unintended consequences. Narayanan Ramaswamy, national leader for education and skill development, government and public services at KPMG India, has warned of “high-intensity withdrawal symptoms” if sweeping bans are introduced, while psychologists flag risks to brain development when screen time displaces physical play and social interaction.

India has already taken selective steps in this direction. The Online Gaming Act of 2025 barred minors from real-money gaming platforms. While the survey’s recommendations are not binding, they feed into the government’s broader policy deliberations at a time when several US states, including Florida, are considering comparable curbs.

“We want the same thing as lawmakers: safe, positive online experiences for young people and believe parents should decide which apps their teens use, so we support laws that empower parents to approve teen app downloads on the app store,” said a Meta spokesperson in responses to queries sent by Mint.

“Governments considering bans should be careful not to push teens toward less safe, unregulated sites, or logged out experiences that bypass important protections,” said the spokesperson, adding that the social media intermediary will comply with social media bans where they are enforced.

The company restricts users under 13 and also provides extra parental control and protections for teen accounts. However, the company spokesperson believes that the ban, if implemented, should not just be limited to social media applications. “With teens using ~40 apps weekly, targeting a handful of companies won’t keep them safe. Bans should apply equally across the many apps teens use.”

Emailed queries to YouTube and Snapchat on Thursday evening were awaiting responses.

Expert speak

The digital overstimulation and information fatigue inherent in social media are no doubt significant catalysts for mental health struggles among users under 16, Aditya Gurwara, co-founder of Qoruz, a digital and influencer marketing SaaS platform, highlights.

“While legislative intervention is a promising step, its efficacy hinges entirely on execution. Social media platforms must develop rigorous, fool-proof age-verification protocols to effectively restrict or manage access for minors,” Gurwara said.

In contrast, Viraj Sheth, chief executive officer and cofounder of influencer marketing and talent management agency Monk Entertainment, underscores that a blanket ban on underage users may sound protective, but it oversimplifies a complex issue.

“You might remove millions of young users overnight, yet their need to be online will not disappear and could instead push them toward less regulated, riskier digital spaces,” Sheth cautioned.

“Social media today plays a real role in how young people learn, connect, and express themselves, so total exclusion risks isolation without solving the root problems. The better path is stronger age safeguards, platform accountability, parental guidance, and meaningful digital literacy,” Sheth added.