Parental control not enough, need law to regulate social media for teens: TDP writes to I&B Minister
The letter cited recent cases of distress among children in Ghaziabad and Lucknow, linked to social media use, and said that a legal framework is required to protect young people from overindulgence online.
2 min readHyderabadUpdated: Feb 10, 2026 07:48 PM IST
Shelar stressed the need to promote digital literacy among parents and introduce the concept of a “digital diet” for children to regulate screen exposure and online engagement. (File Photo)
NDA ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has asked the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to explore a legal framework to protect children online by limiting social media use.
TDP floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Lavu Krishna Devarayalu, has submitted a letter to I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, stating that the country needs Social Media (Age Restrictions and Online Safety) Bill, which “proposes a minimum age threshold for social media access, mandatory age verification mechanisms, and permanent deletion of children’s personal data collected during verification, along with strong enforcement and penalties for non-compliance”.
The letter cited recent cases of distress among children in Ghaziabad and Lucknow, linked to social media use, and said that a legal framework is required to protect young people from overindulgence in social media.
The TDP leader has asked the ministry to consider setting up a dedicated committee or expert group to study age-based regulation of social media and recommend a comprehensive national policy.
Devarayulu, in his letter, cites several countries which have implemented age restrictions on social media use. The letter reads, “Several countries have begun responding to this challenge through decisive legislative action. Australia has enacted a ban on social media access for children under 16, while Denmark, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand are actively considering or advancing similar age-based restrictions as part of broader online safety frameworks. This reflects an emerging global consensus that parental controls alone are insufficient and that responsibility must rest squarely with platforms.”
The NDA government led by the TDP in Andhra Pradesh is actively examining the issue, the letter said.
In India, 90% of the children between ages 14 and 16 have smartphones, and over 75% actively use social media, the letter pointed out. The letter also cites studies indicating that 60% of children are either exposed to age-inappropriate or harmful content and bullying online.
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The letter states that the TDP will stand for this regulation at the state and national level because there is an overwhelming concern regarding children’s safety on social media platforms.
Nikhila Henry is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With a career spanning 17 years, she has established herself as an authoritative voice on South Indian affairs, specialising in the complex intersections of politics, education, and social justice.
Experience & Career: Nikhila commenced her journalism career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad,where she gained recognition for her coverage of student politics. Her professional trajectory includes a four-year tenure at The Hindu, where she focused on minority affairs and social welfare. In 2019, she took on a leadership role as the South Bureau Chief for The Quint, where she directed regional coverage across all five South Indian states. Her expansive career also includes a tenure at the BBC in New Delhi and contributions to prestigious international outlets such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nikhila’s reportage is marked by a deep-seated understanding of grassroots movements and institutional policy. Her core focus areas include:
Regional Politics: Comprehensive analysis of the socio-political dynamics across South India.
Education & Student Movements: Chronicling the evolution of Indian academics and the rise of youth activism.
Minority Affairs: Rigorous reporting on the welfare, rights, and challenges facing marginalized communities.
National Beat: Elevating regional stories to national prominence through investigative and on-ground reporting.
Authoritativeness & Trust
A respected figure in Indian media, Nikhila is not only a seasoned reporter but also an accomplished author and editor. She authored the critically acclaimed book The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India and edited Caste is Not a Rumour, a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula. Her dual background in daily news reporting and long-form authorship allows her to provide readers with a nuanced, historically-informed perspective on contemporary Indian society.
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