India’s latest Economic Survey 2025–26 has delivered a sharp warning on the growing influence of social media platforms, branding many of them as “predatory by design” and opening the door to age-based restrictions on online access, especially for children and adolescents.
Presented by Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran, the survey flags rising digital addiction, arguing that unchecked exposure to social media, online gaming, and algorithm-driven content is taking a toll on mental health, learning outcomes, and long-term productivity. The report stresses that young users are particularly vulnerable to platforms engineered to maximise screen time through features such as autoplay, infinite scrolling, and targeted advertising.
The survey suggests that India should seriously consider age-verified access controls, where digital platforms would be responsible for enforcing minimum age requirements and offering safer, age-appropriate default settings. It also calls for greater accountability from tech companies whose business models encourage compulsive use.
Pointing to international developments, the Economic Survey notes that several countries—including parts of Europe and Australia—are already debating or implementing age curbs on social media as part of broader efforts to protect minors in the digital space.
While the recommendations do not yet amount to government policy, they are expected to significantly shape upcoming debates on digital regulation, child safety, and responsible technology use in India. The survey makes it clear that as India’s digital economy expands, safeguarding social wellbeing—especially that of its younger citizens—must become a central policy priority.
