Govt Weighs Age Curbs on Social Media

Ashwini Vaishnaw flags deepfake threat, calls for stronger online safeguards

February 18, 2026: Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said the government is in active discussions with major social media and digital platforms to explore age-based access controls and address the growing threat of deepfakes. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, he stressed that existing regulations may not be sufficient to tackle rapidly evolving online risks, particularly for children. He said platforms must comply with Indian laws and constitutional principles, adding that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act already incorporates age-based differentiation as a forward-looking safeguard.

Vaishnaw said talks are underway with companies such as Netflix, YouTube, Meta and X to determine the most effective and balanced approach to implementing restrictions. He noted that deepfakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, posing risks to individuals, social trust and democratic processes. The minister added that any significant tightening of norms would require broader political consensus to ensure durable protections.

Pointing to global trends, Vaishnaw cited countries such as Australia, France and United Kingdom that have introduced or proposed stricter age limits and parental consent rules. In India, states like Andhra Pradesh and Goa are also reviewing potential curbs citing concerns over cyberbullying and digital addiction. While no nationwide policy has yet been finalised, the discussions signal a broader shift toward prioritising children’s online safety.