Is the use of social media by children under 16 about to become a thing of the past in India? Recent data seems to suggest so. According to a new global study, parents in India, as well as young people themselves, appear to stand firmly in favor of imposing a ban on social media for children. This report, released by the renowned UK education charity ‘Varkey Foundation’, has sent ripples through the digital world.
India Ranks Second Globally in Support of the Ban
The ‘Family First’ analysis by the Varkey Foundation has revealed that nearly 75 percent of people in India support a social media ban for children under 16 years of age. In this list, Malaysia ranks first with 77 percent, while India holds the second position. This research comes at a time when Australia has recently legally banned social media for children under 16 in their country.
Gen Z Surprises: Support Against Their Own Generation
The most surprising aspect of this survey is that India’s ‘Gen Z’ (Generation Z), who have themselves grown up with social media, are at the forefront of supporting this ban. 73 percent of Gen Z respondents in India agreed that there should be a restriction on social media for children. Sunny Varkey, founder of Family First and the Varkey Foundation, stated that this research clearly highlights the growing tensions within families in the digital age and the concerns of parents.
What Do the Survey Figures Say and Which Countries Were Included?
To conduct this study, the agency ‘We Are Family’ spoke to nearly 6,000 parents and their children, as well as grandparents and young adults, in January and February 2026. Apart from India, the study included 15 major countries, such as the USA, China, France, Japan, Brazil, and Canada. According to the data, while India and Malaysia are strong supporters of this ban, only 38 percent in Japan and 39 percent in Nigeria appeared to be in favor. In the USA, this support was also only 51 percent.
Indians’ Perspective Completely Different From the World
Worldwide, it is often seen that opinions regarding social media differ between parents and children, but India stands out here as well. While globally only 37 percent of children consider this ban to be right, in India and Malaysia, 62 percent of young people have openly supported this restriction. In countries like Australia and Sweden, where there is a vast generational gap, in India, both young and old appear to be concerned about children’s safety in one voice.
Experts believe that this is not merely a debate about a restriction, but the beginning of a comprehensive discussion on how technology is affecting our family values and the mental state of young people. This massive support received in India could point towards stricter laws in the future.
