PM Modi Praises Australia's Under-16 Social Media Ban, Says India Is ‘Taking Lessons’

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded Australia's move to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16, saying India is closely studying the initiative as it explores ways to strengthen online safety for young users.

Speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Modi said Australia's approach to protecting children in the digital space offers valuable insights for policymakers.

"We are taking lessons from Australia's experience," the Prime Minister said, referring to the country's legislation aimed at limiting social media access for minors.

Australia's under-16 social media restrictions have drawn global attention as one of the most stringent efforts to address concerns over children's online safety, mental health, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content. The law places greater responsibility on social media platforms to prevent underage users from accessing their services.

Modi said India, one of the world's largest digital markets with millions of young internet users, is committed to creating a safer online environment while encouraging innovation and digital inclusion.

The issue of digital safety featured among a broader set of discussions between the Indian and Australian leaders, who also announced agreements on defence cooperation, critical minerals, clean energy, trade and technology.

As internet usage continues to rise among children and teenagers, governments worldwide are grappling with how to balance digital freedom with safeguards against online risks. Policymakers have increasingly focused on issues such as excessive screen time, cyber harassment, privacy, misinformation and age verification mechanisms.

Experts believe that any future policy in India would likely involve consultations with technology companies, educators, child rights organisations and cybersecurity specialists to ensure that regulations effectively protect children while respecting privacy and access to digital resources.

The Prime Minister did not indicate whether India plans to introduce legislation similar to Australia's, but his remarks suggest that New Delhi is closely monitoring international best practices as it evaluates its own regulatory framework.

India has in recent years introduced several measures to strengthen digital governance, including enhanced data protection rules and stricter obligations for online platforms. The latest comments indicate that child safety on social media could become an increasingly important area of policy discussion.

With digital platforms playing a growing role in education, communication and entertainment, the debate over age-appropriate access and online safety is expected to remain a priority for governments across the world.