The death of three young sisters in Ghaziabad has shocked the country and renewed calls to ban social media for children. A social media ban is a simplistic response to a deeply complex problem in the society.
Research shows that there is a connection between heavy use of social media and mental health issues among children. However, Australia’s under-16 ban would not work in India. This kind of ban is easy to bypass, risk pushing children into unsafe online access. More importantly, social media serves as a vital support system for marginalized young people.
A blanket ban would likely worsen India’s social inequalities, especially by limiting girls’ access to social media. Therefore, stronger regulation of tech companies (like FB, YouTube, Instagram, etc.), independent oversight, serious local research, and policies that include young people’s voices are needed. Protecting children requires building a healthier digital environment—not simply switching it off.
