Support for Social Media Ban Among Children Grows in India
Rising Support for Social Media Restrictions
In India, parents have shown strong backing for a ban on social media for children under the age of 16. A recent global study released by a UK-based educational organization revealed that India ranks second in support for such restrictions, with 75% approval, following Malaysia at 77%.
This analysis, conducted by the 'Family First' initiative, comes at a time when Australia has recently implemented a social media ban for children under 16, with other nations considering similar measures.
Among respondents from Generation Z in India, a significant 73% expressed support for the ban, the highest percentage across all surveyed countries. This is particularly noteworthy as this generation has grown up with social media.
Sunny Varki, founder of Family First and Worky Foundation, stated, 'This research highlights the increasing stress families face in the digital age.' He emphasized that parents worldwide are increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on their children. The goal of Family First is not just to debate the ban but to initiate a broader discussion on how technology affects family relationships and youth values.
The research agency 'We Are Family' was commissioned to engage with over 6,000 parents, more than 6,000 children aged 9 to 18, 3,000 grandparents, and 3,000 Gen Z participants during January and February 2026.
Countries Included in the Study:
The study encompassed countries such as India, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sweden, the UAE, the UK, and the USA. Malaysia, India, and France were at the forefront in supporting social media restrictions, while Japan had the lowest support at 38%. Following Japan were Nigeria at 39% and the USA at 51%. In Australia, the first country to impose a social media ban for children under 16, 66% of parents supported this initiative.
Distinct Perspectives in India
Data from Family First also indicated a divergence in opinions between parents and children globally on this issue, although India stands apart from this trend. Only 37% of children under 18 worldwide support the ban, creating a 23-point gap between them and their parents. The most significant generational gaps were observed in Australia (34 points), Sweden (33 points), and Canada (32 points).
Support for the ban among youth is highest in Malaysia and India (both at 62%) and China (50%), while it is lowest in Japan (20%), Argentina, and Sweden (26%). Notably, the support for a social media ban for children under 16 among the Gen Z generation born between 1997 and 2012 is the highest in India globally, significantly exceeding the global average of 51%.