Can SM ban for kids actually work?

The Andhra Pradesh government’s proposal to ban social media for children under 13 has triggered a major debate among parents, educators, and technology experts. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced in the Assembly that the state aims to implement the restriction within 90 days, citing concerns over excessive screen time, declining attention spans, and the negative psychological impact on young children. The government is also discussing whether teenagers in the 13–16 age group should face partial restrictions or age-based regulations. Similar conversations are happening in neighboring states too, with Siddaramaiah recently announcing plans in Karnataka to restrict social media use for children below 16.

However, the bigger question remains: Can such a ban actually work? Technically, enforcing a blanket ban is extremely challenging. Most social media platforms like Meta, Google, and X already require users to be at least 13 years old, but age verification largely relies on self-declared information. Children can easily bypass restrictions by entering a different birthdate or using a parent’s device. Experts say effective enforcement would require stronger identity verification systems, parental controls, device-level restrictions, and cooperation from tech companies — something governments across the world are still struggling to implement.

At the same time, supporters of the proposal argue that even partial restrictions could send an important signal to families. Policymakers believe reducing early exposure to addictive algorithms and online content could improve children’s focus, academic performance, and mental well-being. Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh has also suggested studying global frameworks for “age-appropriate access” to social media and consulting major platforms before finalizing the law.

For many parents, the issue hits close to home. Smartphones have become almost unavoidable in modern education and social life, making a total ban difficult. But experts say a balanced approach — combining parental awareness, platform accountability, and limited regulation — may be more practical than a strict ban. As Andhra Pradesh moves ahead with its proposal, the state could become a test case for how India deals with one of the most pressing challenges of the digital generation: protecting children without completely disconnecting them from the online world.