New law: Parental Consent Must for Minors’ Social Media Accounts

The impact of social media in the digital age is undeniable and needs no special mention. The lifestyle of every individual is intertwined with social media. Surveys indicate that people across all age groups—children, youth, and even the elderly—are spending increasing amounts of time on social media in their daily lives.

While this has brought several benefits, experts warn that it also has negative effects on mental health. There are global concerns, particularly regarding the data protection of children and the influence of social media on them.

In this context, the Indian government has released a draft of the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules 2025. The proposal includes strict regulations to limit children under the age of 18 from creating social media accounts. The rules suggest that social media accounts for minors should not be allowed without parental consent.

According to the new regulations, processing the data of children will require parental consent. The control over the personal data processing of minors will lie entirely with the parents. Companies will need to be more transparent regarding data security, providing consumers with clear explanations about why they are collecting personal data.

At the same time, users will have the right to request the deletion of their personal data. If any company violates these regulations, the government may take stringent action. If data security lapses lead to harm to consumers, the concerned company could face a fine of up to ₹250 crore.

This law, aimed at safeguarding the security of consumers and their data, is currently being debated across the country.