New Delhi

Milind Murli Deora on Tuesday urged the government to make social media companies more accountable, highlighting the adverse impact of digital platforms, particularly on teenagers.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the Shiv Sena MP called for greater awareness about the impact of social media and internet use on children and adolescents.

He referred to the recent case of suicide by three teenage sisters in Ghaziabad, which was reportedly linked to online gaming addiction.

“Social media connects billions of people around the world, it amplifies voices, it democratises information, but we must accept one reality — it has a dark side,” Deora said.

He noted that teenage depression and suicides began to rise sharply around 2010 when a social media platform started aggressively targeting young users.

Citing data, Deora said around 27 per cent of Indian teenagers show signs of social media addiction, which is associated with poor academic performance, anxiety and low self-esteem. He also referred to a survey conducted across Indian metros that found nearly 33 per cent of children had faced cyberbullying.

Quoting data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), he said the share of violent juvenile offences rose from 32 per cent in 2016 to nearly 50 per cent in 2022.

Deora also pointed out that several countries, including France, Australia and Indonesia, have banned the use of social media for teenagers, while Spain and Germany are also considering similar measures.

He said that during a recent AI impact summit in New Delhi, Emmanuel Macron had urged India to consider restricting social media access for children under 15 years of age.

While noting that India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 already mandates stricter consent norms and verifiable parental approval for users under 18, Deora said more needs to be done to ensure accountability of social media platforms.

He added that several states, including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, have started discussions on the issue.

The Rajya Sabha member also emphasised the need to integrate digital literacy and mental health education into school curricula.

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“As a parent of a young child, I urge the House and the government to act swiftly and decisively to safeguard the future,” Deora said.