Strong Support from Indian Parents
A recent global survey conducted by the UK-based Varkey Foundation has revealed that a significant majority of Indian parents support banning social media access for children under the age of 16. According to the findings, nearly 75% of Indian parents are in favor of such a restriction, making India the second-highest country in terms of support after Malaysia.
This growing support reflects increasing parental concerns about the impact of excessive social media use on children’s mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being.
Gen Z Also Backs the Ban
Interestingly, the survey also highlights that younger individuals themselves are in favor of the ban. Around 73% of Gen Z respondents in India supported restricting social media usage for those under 16 — the highest among all countries surveyed.
This is particularly notable because Gen Z is considered the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital and social media age.
Global Trend Towards Regulation
The findings come at a time when countries across the world are exploring stricter regulations on social media usage among minors. Australia has already implemented a ban for users under 16, while countries like the UK and Greece are actively considering similar measures.
Governments are increasingly concerned about issues such as screen addiction, sleep disruption, and exposure to harmful content.
Concerns Over Digital Impact on Families
According to Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, the research highlights a growing tension within families navigating the digital age. Parents worldwide are becoming more cautious about how social media platforms influence their children’s values, behavior, and relationships.
Rather than focusing only on bans, the initiative aims to encourage broader discussions around responsible technology use and digital parenting.
Countries with Lowest Support
While India and Malaysia showed strong backing, countries like Japan, Nigeria, and the United States recorded comparatively lower support for such bans. This indicates differing cultural attitudes toward technology use and regulation across regions.
