India considers restricting social media access to curb youth addiction

The Government of India suggested this Thursday to evaluate the implementation of age restrictions for access to social networks, a measure aimed at combating compulsive screen use and exposure to harmful content among minors, aligning with the trend already led by countries like Australia. "Age-based access limits could be considered, as younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content," indicates the Economic Survey, the annual document that examines the country's financial health and sets the roadmap before the presentation of the General Budget. The text warns that the compulsive use of screens is causing a loss of employability and a decrease in the lifetime earnings of the future workforce.

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"Beyond the direct economic costs arising from online purchases, video games, and cyber fraud, it can reduce employability, productivity, and decrease lifetime income," he noted. It also urges tech platforms to take on more responsibility and demands the implementation of rigorous age verification mechanisms. The report specifically cites the example of Australia, which passed a law last December to ban social media for those under 16, and suggests that New Delhi should look in that direction to protect its "demographic dividend". The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of this Asian country urged social media companies last October to establish more transparent measures regarding content generated through artificial intelligence (AI).