To:


The Government of India
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Ministry of Women and Child Development

Subject: Urgent Petition to Ban and Strictly Regulate Social Media Usage Among Children and Teenagers
Respected Authorities,
We, the undersigned, wish to bring to your immediate attention the growing and deeply concerning impact of social media platforms on children and teenagers. Platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and similar digital services have become pervasive in the daily lives of minors, often without adequate safeguards.
Background and Concern
Children and adolescents are in critical stages of psychological, emotional, and cognitive development. Unrestricted access to social media exposes them to:
 ● Addictive content algorithms designed to maximize screen time
 ● Cyberbullying, harassment, and online exploitation
 ● Inappropriate and harmful content
 ● Distorted body image, anxiety, and depression
 ● Reduced academic performance and attention span
 ● Privacy risks and data exploitation
Despite existing guidelines, enforcement remains weak, and age restrictions are easily bypassed through false declarations.
Demand for Action
In light of the above, we strongly urge the Government to take the following measures:
 1. Complete Ban for Minors (Below 18 Years):
Prohibit access to major social media platforms for individuals under the age of 18.
 2. Mandatory Multi-Layered Age Verification Systems:
Require all digital platforms to implement robust, tamper-resistant, government-approved verification systems, including:
 ● Official ID Verification: Linking accounts to verified government identification where permissible
 ● AI-Based Facial Age Estimation: Use of secure facial scanning technology to estimate age and flag discrepancies between declared and actual age
 ● Periodic Re-Verification: Regular checks to prevent misuse over time
 ● Device-Level Authentication: Integration with mobile OS-level parental and age controls
 3. Strict Privacy and Data Protection Safeguards:
Ensure that biometric data (such as facial scans) is:
 ● Encrypted and stored securely
 ● Not retained beyond verification purposes
 ● Not used for advertising, profiling, or third-party sharing
 ● Subject to strict government audits and compliance standards
 4. Strict Liability for Platforms:
Hold companies legally accountable for allowing underage users on their platforms due to weak or negligent verification systems.
 5. Heavy Financial Penalties:
Impose substantial fines on companies for non-compliance, including:
 ● Per-user penalties for each underage account detected
 ● Recurring fines for repeated violations
 ● Potential suspension or blocking of services within India for persistent offenders
 6. Algorithm Transparency:
Mandate disclosure and regulation of content recommendation systems, especially those targeting or affecting minors.
 7. Parental Control Enforcement:
Require built-in, non-optional parental controls for all devices and applications accessible to minors.
 8. Awareness Campaigns:
Launch nationwide programs to educate parents, schools, and children about the risks of social media usage.
Rationale
The responsibility to safeguard the mental and emotional well-being of future generations lies with both the State and society. While stronger verification systems—including biometric methods—are essential to prevent misuse, they must be implemented with strict privacy protections to avoid creating new risks.
Conclusion
We urge the Government to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and take immediate legislative and regulatory action. The unchecked influence of social media on minors is not just a technological issue—it is a public health and societal concern.
Sincerely,