Stories
Children's Social Media Ban: 20 Countries Strict, But Supreme Court Calls It Absurd
- •More than 20 countries, including Australia and the UK, have restricted or banned social media use for minors to protect their mental health.
- •The Supreme Court of India stated that internet access is a fundamental right for children and a complete ban is absurd, emphasizing the need to balance safety and freedom.
- •Social media giants like YouTube and Meta have paid over 17 billion US dollars in lawsuit settlements and damages since March 2026.
- •Experts highlight that while social media causes addiction, anxiety, and depression among teens, it also provides valuable connection and self-expression opportunities.
Key Questions Answered
The Supreme Court stated that internet usage is a fundamental right for everyone, including children, and noted that completely keeping children away from it or imposing a blanket ban based on age is absurd.
More than 20 countries have considered or implemented bans on minor users accessing social media platforms. Australia was among the first to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025, followed shortly by the UK, Greece, the UAE, and Canada.
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to create a national database to strengthen mechanisms for identifying and removing Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) online, and mandated that social media companies report such content to law enforcement within two hours of its removal.
