SHIELD Bill to ban social media for kids faces fresh delay in Parliament

The Story in Brief

A private member's bill seeking stricter safeguards for children under 13 on social media, online gaming and digital platforms was stalled again on Friday as disruptions forced the House to adjourn before it could be taken up. The Safeguarding Healthy Internet Environments for Little Digital-Natives (SHIELD) Bill, 2025, proposed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, would ban account creation for those under 13 without verified parental consent, curb targeted advertising to minors, and require platforms to prevent exposure to harmful content including pornography and gambling. Penalties for non-compliance could reach Rs 10 crore, with repeat violations risking service suspension under the IT Act.

The bill, drafted last year, was listed for introduction alongside another measure on AI-generated impersonation. Panda has criticised repeated delays, arguing that private members' business deserves hearing despite political differences. The push comes amid growing concern over unregulated platforms, highlighted by the alleged suicides of three minor girls in Ghaziabad linked to online influences. Australia recently became the first country to impose a nationwide social media ban for under-16s.