(India must enact a national law with mandatory KYC and school-level digital literacy to protect children from social media addiction and ensure safe technological growth.)
We are living in an era where the "toy" has become the "master". In our homes today, a silent crisis is unfolding. If you walk into any Indian household, you will likely see a child huddled over a glowing screen, oblivious to the world around them. The cricket bat gathers dust in the corner, and the dinner table, once a place of vibrant family conversation, has fallen silent.
As we
release this March 2026 issue of PreSense, we must confront a harsh
reality: our children are being held captive by algorithms designed in faraway
boardrooms. This is no longer just a "parenting issue"; it has become
a national health emergency.
The
Alarming Reality: Economic Survey 2025–26
The Economic
Survey 2025–26, recently tabled in Parliament, has sent shockwaves through
the country. For the first time, a primary government document has officially
flagged "Digital Addiction" as a threat to India’s future. The
data is staggering. Over 970 million Indians are now online, but the
most vulnerable are those aged between 10 and 18.
According
to the ASER 2025 report, while smartphone access is nearly universal,
only 57% of children use these devices for any form of education.
Instead, a massive 76% are consumed by social media "reels"
and short-form videos. The Survey warns that this is leading to "Cognitive
Erosion"—a fancy term for a very simple problem: our children are
losing the ability to focus, to think deeply, and to socialise in the real
world.
The health
impact is visible to any parent. We see rising cases of childhood obesity
because physical play has stopped. We see "tech-neck" and strained
eyes. More worryingly, the mental health toll is rising, with anxiety and
depression linked to the constant need for "likes" and digital
validation.
Global
Awakening: The World is Saying "Enough"
India is
not alone in this struggle; other nations have also started to act with a firm
hand. Australia led the way in 2025 by passing a landmark law that bans
social media for children under 16. Their government was clear: the
safety of children is more important than the profits of tech giants.
In Europe,
countries like France and Spain have followed suit, setting the
"digital age of consent" at 15 and 16. Even within our own borders, States
like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have begun enacting laws to
restrict social media usage for minors. During a recent discussion in the Rajya
Sabha, several Members of Parliament raised concerns about the "loss
of empathy" among the youth due to digital over-exposure.
The Prime
Minister, in his recent Mann Ki Baat address, also touched upon this,
urging families to observe a "Digital Fast" once a week to
reconnect with real-life relationships.
The Case
for a National Law and 'Social KYC'
While
state-level actions are welcome, they are not enough. The internet has no
borders. A child in Chennai and a child in Delhi face the same risks. We
urgently need a Central Law—a "Social Media Regulation Act for
Minors."
PreSense
has a specific recommendation for our policy-makers. Today, we have KYC
(Know Your Customer) norms for everything. You cannot open a bank account,
get a gas connection, or even a SIM card without proving who you are. Why
should social media be any different?
We must
introduce Mandatory KYC for Social Media. Every account should be linked
to a verifiable identity, such as Aadhaar or DigiLocker.
· For Children: This will ensure
that they cannot lie about their age to bypass safety filters.
· For Adults: This will stop the
cowards who hide behind fake profiles to spread deepfakes, misinformation, and
hate.
Genuine
citizens who value a clean digital society will never object to proving their
identity. Only those with ill intentions hide behind anonymity. In India, our Freedom
of Expression is not absolute; it comes with "reasonable
restrictions" for the sake of public order and decency. Protecting our
children is the most "reasonable" restriction of all.
Empowerment
Through Digital Literacy
However, a
law alone is not a magic wand. We cannot—and should not—ban the internet
entirely. It is a powerful tool for knowledge. Technologies like Artificial
Intelligence (AI) can be a great blessing if used correctly. AI can help a
child learn a new language, understand complex science, or even assist with
creative writing.
The
solution lies in Digital Literacy. This should not be a college subject;
it must be taught in Primary Schools itself from Junior Classes onwards.
Just as we teach children how to cross a road safely, we must teach them how to
navigate the "digital road." They must learn to identify "fake
news," understand how algorithms try to trick them, and know when to
switch off the device.
The Role
of Parents: Be a Mentor, Not a Monitor
We also
have a role to play as parents. We cannot tell our children to drop the phone
while we ourselves are glued to it. We must lead by example. We need to create
"No-Phone Zones" in our homes—especially during mealtime and also an
hour before sleep.
Instead of
being "digital police" who only monitor, we should be "digital
mentors" who explore the good side of the internet with our children.
Encourage them to use AI tools for their school projects or to learn a new
skill, rather than just mindlessly scrolling through dance videos.
The Path
Forward
The
current "Gulf War" and the global energy crisis have shown us how
volatile the world can be. In such times, India’s greatest strength is its
people—our "Demographic Dividend." If our youth are addicted to
digital "junk food," this dividend will become a "demographic
disaster."
We need a
three-pronged approach:
1.
Strong Central Legislation with
mandatory KYC to protect minors.
2.
Mandatory Digital Literacy in the
school curriculum.
3.
Active Parental Engagement to bring
back real-world play and conversation.
Let us act
before the "virtual world" completely swallows the "real
world" of our future leaders. Our children deserve a childhood filled with
sunshine, playgrounds, and real friends—not just pixels on a screen.
Source: March 2026 edition of PreSense
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