In Brief
- BJP MP Baijayant Panda introduced a bill banning social media for children under 13.
- The Shield Bill mandates verified parental consent and parental control dashboards.
- Bill aims to safeguard children's online experiences on social media and gaming platforms.
- Intermediaries required to implement parental controls and ensure compliance.
BJP MP Baijayant Panda has listed a private member’s bill titled the Safeguarding Healthy Internet Environments for Little Digital-Natives (Shield) Bill, 2025. The bill prohibits children under 13 years from creating accounts on any social media or online gaming platform without verified parental consent.
Under the proposed legislation, every intermediary must provide parental control dashboards to allow guardians to monitor and manage their children’s internet activities effectively. The bill aims to protect young users from potential online harms by regulating their engagement on digital platforms.
Baijayant Panda emphasized the importance of creating a safer internet environment to foster healthy online habits among children. The bill also places accountability on platforms to enforce age restrictions rigorously.
If enacted, this legislation would mark a significant step towards government regulation of children's access to digital content, aligning with global concerns over children's online safety and mental health.
