Across India, a heated conversation is unfolding — should children under 15 be banned from using social media? What began as a quiet policy suggestion from a few educators has now turned into a nationwide debate inside classrooms, parent meetings, and policy circles. Teachers, parents, and students are divided, not over the risks of social media, but over how to handle them.

The discussion gained traction after reports from Australia, the UK, and several US states highlighted the growing impact of social media on children’s mental health and concentration. Australia recently proposed a nationwide law restricting social media use for children below 16. In India, education experts and lawmakers are watching closely, wondering whether a similar rule could or should apply here.

At Delhi Public School, Bengaluru, a parent-teacher roundtable turned intense when parents voiced frustration about their children’s screen habits. “My 13-year-old checks Instagram before brushing her teeth,” said Shalini Rao, a parent. “She’s happier on screens than in the playground.” Teachers nodded in agreement, while a few students defended their online worlds. “It’s where we learn trends, music, even current affairs,” said Arnav, a Class 9 student. “A total ban won’t work — we need balance, not blackout.”

That phrase — balance, not blackout — is now becoming the center of the debate. The proposed under-15 ban aims to protect children from cyberbullying, online addiction, and harmful content. But educators say blanket restrictions may create new problems. “Banning without educating is like closing the library because someone read the wrong book,” said Principal Anita Deshmukh of a Pune-based school. “We must teach children how to be responsible digital citizens.”

The concern is not unfounded. A 2024 UNICEF study found that nearly 60% of Indian teenagers spend over three hours daily on social media. Experts link excessive use to sleep disruption, body image issues, and anxiety. The study also warned about exposure to misinformation and unsafe online challenges, which have occasionally led to tragic incidents.

India’s National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has already urged the government to consider stronger age-verification systems for social media platforms. The Commission’s report stated that children’s data is being harvested and misused, often without parental consent. “Children are being targeted through algorithms designed for profit, not protection,” said an NCPCR spokesperson.

Yet, some educators see a brighter side. Social media, they argue, has also become a space for creativity and learning. Many schools now use platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) to share art projects, science videos, and debate competitions. “We can’t ignore that the world is digital,” said teacher Ramesh Iyer from Chennai. “Students must learn digital ethics the same way they learn traffic rules.”

Technology experts agree that bans alone don’t solve the problem. “Tech literacy should start as early as Class 5,” said cyberpsychologist Dr. Anjali Mehta. “Children need to know what’s safe to share, how algorithms work, and how to say no to digital peer pressure.” She adds that the real danger is unsupervised use, not usage itself.

The social media companies, for their part, maintain that they already restrict accounts for users under 13. However, enforcement remains weak. Many children simply enter false birthdates to gain access. “Platforms need to do more,” said digital safety researcher Amit Arora. “AI-based age detection and parental dashboards can help, but India must create its own framework.”

Meanwhile, schools are responding in creative ways. Some institutions have introduced “Digital Detox Days,” during which students leave their phones at home. Others teach media literacy as part of life skills education, helping children analyze online content critically. “When students understand that a viral reel can be fake or edited, they automatically become cautious,” said teacher Farida Khan.

Parents also face new challenges. In joint families and working households, children often get devices early. Monitoring use is difficult. “We try to limit screen time, but it feels like fighting a losing battle,” said Ravi Joshi, a parent from Mumbai. “We need schools to join hands with parents. The ban won’t work unless we guide them together.”

In some schools, students themselves are leading the way. A group of eighth graders at a school in Hyderabad recently conducted a campaign titled #ScreenSmart, encouraging peers to log screen-free hours and share real-world experiences instead. “We can’t ban the internet,” said 14-year-old Nidhi, one of the participants. “But we can learn to control it before it controls us.”

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is reportedly studying global models for children’s online protection. Policy advisors say India may opt for a middle path — not an outright ban, but stricter parental consent requirements, better content filters, and time-based restrictions for minors. “The goal is not to isolate children from technology,” said a ministry official. “It’s to make digital spaces age-appropriate.”

Psychologists caution that social isolation from peers’ online worlds can also harm self-esteem. “A sudden ban could make children feel left out,” explained Dr. Mehta. “Instead, we should co-create rules with them. Let children set their own digital goals and limits. Empowerment lasts longer than enforcement.”

Some private schools have already implemented phone bans on campuses, with positive results. “We noticed better participation in sports and group projects,” said Principal Suresh Sharma of a Gurugram school. “However, when students go home, they’re back online. So it has to be a 360-degree effort — parents, schools, and platforms working together.”

The debate also raises deeper cultural questions. For many Indian families, social media has become a symbol of modern identity. Children learn dance trends, languages, and even entrepreneurship through short videos. The challenge is finding the line between creativity and compulsion. “The answer is not cutting wires but building wisdom,” said education columnist Vandana Rao.

Experts suggest three clear steps forward — educate, empower, and engage. Educate children about privacy, misinformation, and digital footprints. Empower parents with tools and awareness. Engage platforms to build safer ecosystems for minors. “If we treat kids like partners in safety, not problems to control, we’ll raise smarter digital citizens,” said Dr. Mehta.

The story of India’s social media debate mirrors a global reality — every country is trying to protect childhood without stifling curiosity. Whether India bans under-15s or builds a new framework, one thing is certain: the digital generation cannot be raised with analog solutions.

In classrooms today, where screens glow as brightly as minds, the question isn’t just “Should we ban social media?” It’s “Can we teach our children to live with it wisely?”

The future of this debate may decide not just how kids scroll — but how they grow.