Former Indian cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh on Thursday expressed concern over vulgar and explicit content on social media and called for “stronger laws to block pornographic websites and regulate harmful content online”. He made the comments during his speech during the budget session of Parliament.
“Strong measures are needed. The Indian government should enforce stricter laws to block pornographic websites and regulate harmful content online. Children should not be allowed to access social media before the age of 16 and strong age verification systems must be put in place,” said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmaker.
The former cricketer also demanded stronger age verification systems for all social media platforms.
‘It affects their mental health…’
Harbhajan Singh claimed that in recent days, children have become addicted to social media platforms like Instagram and are also being exposed to “semi-pornographic content” at a very young age – affecting their mental health.
“Our children’s future is at risk. Today, many children are becoming addicted to social media platforms like Instagram and are exposed to sexualized or semi-pornographic content at a very young age. This affects their mental health, increases anxiety and depression and shapes their thinking in unhealthy ways,” the AAP MP said.
Harbhajan Singh’s comments come at a time when several states are exploring stricter restrictions on the use of social media by minors.
Which countries have social media bans for people under 16?
Earlier this month, Karnataka became the first Indian state to ban social media for children under the age of 16. Andhra Pradesh has also sought to ban access to social media for children under 13, with the government considering whether to extend it to teenagers under 16.
On Wednesday, March 11, Punjab Chief Minister Aman Arora told the assembly that the state government would take up the issue of making rules for the use of social media by minors with the Center and evaluate global best practices to protect the interests of children, PTI reported.
“It has to be age specific…”
Arora said legal restrictions on the use of social media by minors could be implemented through rules set by the Indian government under the Information Technology Act 2000, including age verification requirements for social media intermediaries.
“This has to be age-specific. We have to define what content is suitable for children aged 8 to 12 versus 13 to 16 and what is suitable for those above 18. A blanket ban often increases children’s interest in banned content and such bans often lead young users to dark, unregulated corners of the internet,” the IT minister said, PTI reported.
