PMK president Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss has called on the Union government to pass a law prohibiting children under 16 from using social media. He believes this step is crucial to protect their physical health, mental well-being, and academic future. Anbumani praised France for banning social media access for those under 15, considering it a significant move to shield young individuals from the negative impacts of excessive digital exposure.
The French Parliament recently approved this legislation, which will bar children under 15 from creating new social media accounts starting in September. Existing accounts of children in this age group will be suspended from January when the law takes full effect. Anbumani highlighted that France is the first EU country to implement such a restriction. He also mentioned that Australia was the pioneer in enforcing a similar nationwide ban back in December 2025. Moreover, countries like Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have adopted comparable measures, with over 50 nations, including the UK, Spain, Greece, Germany, and Denmark, contemplating similar restrictions.
Anbumani emphasized the need for India to also implement a nationwide prohibition on children’s social media usage. He pointed out that parents are worried about their children being exposed to inappropriate online content, leading to distractions, behavioral changes, and other psychological issues. Citing the 2025–26 Economic Survey, he underscored the negative effects of excessive social media use on children’s mental and physical health, including anxiety, stress, declining self-esteem, and cyberbullying, particularly affecting those aged 16 to 24.
