Hyderabad: As India considers new approaches to children’s online safety, a report by NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, says that social media age restrictions alone cannot address the full range of risks children face online. Published by NALSAR and the Indian Governance and Policy Project (IGAP), the report, titled “The Child Safety Imperative: Age-Appropriate Digital Governance Pathways for India”, maps regulatory developments across 57 jurisdictions as of Sept 30, reviews evidence on child and adolescent development and digital wellbeing, and examines gaps in India’s legal and regulatory framework.The report finds that while Indian laws provide protection against online exploitation, abuse and other serious offences, they are less equipped to address emerging risks associated with algorithmic recommendations, persuasive design, behavioural profiling and excessive engagement.“Children’s online safety cannot rest principally with children and their families. Parents and schools have an essential role, but digital platforms must also be designed and governed responsibly. Effective protection requires capable institutions, meaningful oversight and safeguards that respect children’s privacy, rights and evolving capacities. We hope this report will provide a useful evidence base for govts and policymakers as they consider new regulatory measures and develop a more coherent approach to online child safety in India,” said Srikrishna Deva Rao, vice-chancellor, NALSAR.The report examines contrasting regulatory approaches in countries including Australia, Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia. It finds that while minimum-age restrictions may form part of an online child safety framework, their effectiveness depends on proper implementation, complementary safeguards and the ability to address risks arising from platform design.“Our research highlights an important distinction between regulating children’s access to social media and making their digital experiences safer. For India, the priority should be to ground policy in evidence on child and adolescent development and the risks they encounter online, and to develop safeguards that are effective, proportionate and responsive to their evolving needs and capacities,” said Shachi Solanki, director, IGAP.The report recommends that India consider a dedicated, principle-based online child safety framework combining age-appropriate protections, responsible platform design, privacy-preserving age assurance and stronger institutional accountability. It also calls for investment in regulatory capacity, digital literacy and India-specific research.The report cautions that restrictions should not unnecessarily limit children’s access to educational resources, information, peer-support communities and other beneficial digital services. It also calls for children and adolescents to be consulted when policies affecting their online lives are developed.
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