AP plans curbs on social media use for children under 13

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the Andhra Pradesh government is considering measures to restrict social media access for children below 13 years of age to protect them from its potential negative impact.

Speaking in the Assembly, Naidu said the proposal, suggested by IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh, is under consideration, and a programme to implement the restrictions could be rolled out within the next 90 days.

He added that the government is also examining possible regulations for children in the 13–16 age group. A final decision will be taken after consultations and the building of a broader consensus, he said.

Naidu said the government is committed to safeguarding children from the harmful effects of excessive social media use and ensuring their overall well-being.

Meanwhile, Lokesh reacted to a similar proposal announced in neighbouring Karnataka. During his Budget speech, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government plans to ban social media use for children below 16 years of age, citing concerns over the growing influence of mobile phones and social media among youngsters.

Responding to the announcement on the social media platform X, Lokesh wrote, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” and said he was glad Karnataka was considering restrictions on social media use by young users. He added that Andhra Pradesh had earlier proposed similar measures aimed at protecting young minds from the darker side of the digital world and wished the Karnataka government success in implementing the plan.