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MIB Flags Child Safety Concerns Over Infinite Scroll, Autoplay, and Recommendation Systems
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Storyboard•29-09-2026, 11:33
MIB Flags Child Safety Concerns Over Infinite Scroll, Autoplay, and Recommendation Systems
- •The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) raised concerns about the impact of engagement-driven digital media design, such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and continuously optimized recommendation systems, on children and younger audiences.
- •Additional Secretary Prabhat emphasized the need to examine how digital media is designed and consumed, moving beyond just content creation scale, and highlighted risks like obscene content and misinformation, especially with AI-generated content.
- •Prabhat called for a shift in the creator economy from focusing on reach and virality to building sustainable businesses, owning intellectual property, and creating enduring value, moving from domestic scale to global markets.
- •The MIB is developing an ecosystem around WAVES, including Create in India challenges, ISTC for skills in AVGC/XR, WaveX for startups, and WAVES Bazaar as a year-round marketplace to support talent and connect creators with markets.
- •The MIB urged greater industry responsibility, including investment in original Indian IP, broader talent discovery, stronger protection against piracy, and collaboration on responsible recommendation systems and child safety.
Key Questions Answered
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting raised concerns over engagement-driven digital design features, specifically targeting infinite scroll, autoplay, and continuously optimized recommendation systems due to their impact on children and younger audiences.
The Ministry is establishing ISTC to strengthen skills, research, and capabilities in AVGC, XR, and emerging creative technologies, alongside WaveX which focuses on building the startup and innovation ecosystem.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act strengthens online privacy safeguards for children by requiring verifiable parental consent before processing their personal data, while prohibiting behavioral tracking, targeted advertising, and detrimental monitoring.
