Demand for social media ban raised in Lok Sabha: Negative impact on children below 16 years of age, increased stress and depression

Delhi. Noting the harmful impact of social media use on children below 16 years of age, members of the Congress and BJP in the Lok Sabha on Thursday demanded the government to ban it across the country.

Congress member K. Kavya and BJP’s Anand Kumar raised the issue in the House during zero hour. The Congress MP said that due to the use of social media, stress and depression are increasing among children and they are lacking insight into family relationships and social participation.

Kavya said that social media apps have dominated the minds of children which are taking them in the wrong direction. “As a mother of two children below 16 years of age, I request the central government to impose a nationwide ban on social media,” she said.

He said that these restrictions have been implemented in some states, so the Central Government should look into this issue. He mentioned that other MPs have also made similar suggestions.

BJP’s Anand Kumar said that in today’s digital age, the impact of uncontrolled and excessive use of social media is increasing worryingly, especially on children below 16 years of age. He said, “At this age, children are unable to differentiate between right and wrong, due to which they come under the influence of misinformation and deepfake content, ‘cyber bullying’ and inappropriate content.”

Kumar said the government should seriously consider regulating or imposing appropriate restrictions on the use of social media for children below 16 years of age, implementing effective age verification mechanisms and bringing clear guidelines for social media platforms.

Also read:

Gautam Adani visited Ramlala with his family, Said on Hanuman Jayanti – Emotional moment, immense satisfaction to the mind