Young people in India voiced concerns over proposed social media bans and age-based restrictions during a roundtable discussion held on July 31 in New Delhi, according to medianama.com. The discussion focused on state-level bans in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Goa, as well as a central government proposal for age verification to restrict social media access for children.
The roundtable, conducted under the Chatham House Rule, featured a female student from Northeast India who highlighted the importance of platforms like Instagram, Reddit, and Tumblr for maintaining social connections, especially for those from mobile families such as Indian Army personnel. She emphasized that banning these platforms would cut off vital communication channels for young people, particularly those in underprivileged and isolated communities.
The participants argued that social media restrictions could disproportionately affect marginalized groups by limiting their access to information and social networks. The student noted that alternatives like Gmail or YouTube reels are insufficient substitutes for the social engagement provided by these platforms. The discussion underscored the challenge of balancing regulation with the need to keep young people connected on their own terms.
The roundtable was organized by MediaNama to explore the implications of age verification and social media restrictions for children. The event took place on July 31 in New Delhi, bringing together diverse youth perspectives on the impact of digital policy measures.