BJP National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda faced another delay in presenting India’s first proposed law limiting social media access for children under 13 in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The adjournment was due to Opposition protests, hindering Panda’s introduction of the “The Safeguarding Healthy Environments for Little Digital Natives (SHIELD) Bill 2025.” Despite being listed for three months, the Bill could not be introduced earlier.
Scheduled for introduction on Friday, the Bill emphasizes mental health and online safety, aligning with global efforts to protect child online safety. It aims to regulate internet and social media access for children under 13. In previous attempts during the Winter Session, Panda was unable to present the Bill due to disruptions on the scheduled day for private members’ bills.
Similar laws restricting social media access for minors have been enacted in countries like Australia and are under consideration in various nations. In India, activists and parent groups advocate for such restrictions due to the documented adverse effects of social media on young minds. Recent incidents, such as the suicide of three minor girls in Ghaziabad, have raised concerns about the unregulated use of gaming and social media platforms.
Panda criticized the Opposition for disrupting Parliament proceedings, including the blockage of private members’ bills. He highlighted the irony of this behavior, noting that these bills are unrelated to the government’s agenda. Data reveals that disruptions in Parliament result in significant financial losses, amounting to Rs 57 crore due to adjournments during the ongoing Budget Session.
