SP MLA Rais Shaikh submits private member's bill seeking Social Media Ban for Minors

Mumbai - In the wake of rising incidents of online bullying, exposure to harmful content, misinformation, and addictive behavioural patterns among minors, Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party legislator from Bhiwandi (East), has submitted a private member’s bill in the Legislative Assembly seeking a social media ban for minors to protect their mental health, safety, and well-being.

Speaking to the media today, MLA Rais Shaikh said that in recent years, social media platforms have significantly influenced the mental health, behaviour, and privacy of minors. 

“Research globally, including in countries such as Australia and the United States, has highlighted the adverse effects of prolonged and unregulated social media exposure on children and adolescents. Incidents of online bullying, exposure to harmful content, misinformation, and addictive behavioural patterns among minors have become serious public health and safety concerns. The absence of effective verification mechanisms has led to children accessing inappropriate or psychologically damaging content,” remarked MLA Rais Shaikh.

Highlighting the purpose of the bill, MLA Rais Shaikh explained that it seeks to introduce strict compliance obligations for social media companies. “It aims to ensure parental involvement in the online activities of minors and establish a regulatory body to oversee digital child protection within the State. By implementing strong deterrents, the bill will help create a safer digital environment for the youth of Maharashtra,” added MLA Rais Shaikh. 

MLA Rais Shaikh further stated that existing laws under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, do not adequately regulate age-specific access to social media platforms. “Therefore, a comprehensive framework is required at the State level to protect minors in Maharashtra,” said MLA Rais Shaikh.