Centre proposes New Law on Social Media Usage!

In today’s digital era, the widespread use of smartphones has become an integral part of everyday life. From the moment people wake up to the time they go to bed, smartphones are used for various purposes, including travel, transactions, shopping, and entertainment. However, doctors have recently raised concerns that children are spending excessive time on social media, which could have a significant impact on their mental and physical well-being. Additionally, there has been growing global apprehension regarding potential violations of user data privacy, especially concerning minors.

In response to these concerns, several countries have taken steps to restrict children's access to the internet, particularly social media platforms. Now, the Indian government is preparing to implement similar measures. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released a draft of the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Rules 2025 on Friday. One of the key provisions in the draft mandates that parental consent must be obtained for children under the age of 18 to open social media accounts. The government has invited public feedback and objections on the draft rules, which can be submitted on the MyGov.in website. After February 18, the government will review the feedback and make necessary amendments before finalizing the law.

According to the notification issued by the Ministry, children will only be allowed to create social media accounts with verified parental or guardian approval. The rules emphasize that social media companies must secure explicit consent from parents before processing or using children’s personal data. This requirement means that even if a platform intends to store or utilize a minor’s personal information, it can only do so with proper parental authorization.

The draft law also introduces several key user-centric measures to enhance data protection and privacy. It grants users greater control over their personal data and requires companies to be more transparent about why they are collecting such data. Users will have the right to demand the deletion of their personal information if they wish. In cases of data breaches, companies may face fines of up to ₹250 crores.