Need to formulate a uniform national policy to safeguard the minor children from social media-Laid

Need to formulate a uniform national policy to safeguard the minor children from social media-Laid SHRI LAVU SRIKRISHNA DEVARAYALU (NARASARAOPET): I rise to highlight the need for a forward-looking national policy on children?s access to social media platforms. The rapid and largely unregulated growth of social media has made children a highly vulnerable group online, exposing them to abuse, cyberbullying, and harmful content. Children lack the developmental capacity to navigate these risks safely, yet platforms continue to design systems that draw them in and profit from their attention. While parental controls exist, they are insufficient to address the systemic risks and power asymmetries children face online, highlighting the need for stronger policy intervention. I have also submitted a PMB proposing a minimum age threshold for social media access, robust age-verification norms, and strict deletion of children?s data. Globally, Australia has enacted an under-16 ban, while Denmark, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand are moving towards similar age-based restrictions, signalling a shift in accountability towards platforms. Our NDA-led Government in Andhra Pradesh is examining this issue seriously and exploring the need for a strong legal framework to safeguard young users. I urge the Union Government to also consider a uniform national policy, grounded in child rights and data protection, to ensure a safer digital future for India?s children.