3 weeks ago
SHIELD Bill Proposes Banning Under-13s from Social Media Accounts
In India, a leader named Baijayant Panda wrote a new law called the SHIELD Bill to keep kids safe online.
The law would stop children under 13 from making accounts on social media or online games unless their parents say yes.
It would also make websites check how old people are before letting them join.
Parents would get a special dashboard to see what their kids do online and to set limits on screen time.
Companies would not be allowed to show kids advertisements made just for them.
They would also have to block bad things online like violence, gambling, and scary content.
If companies break the rules, they could have to pay a very big fine.
The law has not been passed yet because Parliament meetings kept getting interrupted.
Panda says the Opposition in Parliament was causing too many disruptions.
Other countries like Australia and France are also making rules to protect children online.
BJP MP Baijayant Panda proposed the Safeguarding Healthy Internet Environments for Little Digital-Natives (SHIELD) Bill, 2025, as a private member's bill.
It would prohibit children under 13 from creating social media and online gaming accounts without verified parental consent.
Platforms accessible to minors would need age-verification mechanisms and parental-control dashboards to monitor activity and limit screen time.
The bill bars tracking, profiling, or targeting children with personalised advertising and requires blocking of pornography, gambling, betting, violent, extremist, and drug-related content.
Violations risk penalties of up to ₹10 crore and repeated breaches could trigger suspension under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act; the bill was stalled again after the House adjourned.
- Who
- BJP MP Baijayant Panda, who proposed the SHIELD Bill in Parliament.
- What
- A private member's bill that would ban children under 13 from creating social media and online gaming accounts without verified parental consent, and require age verification and parental controls on platforms.
- Where
- India, in the Lok Sabha (Parliament).
- When
- Scheduled for introduction in Parliament on Friday but not taken up after the House was adjourned; it had earlier been deferred twice in February and during the Winter Session.
- Why
- To safeguard children from potential harms posed by social media and online gaming, including harmful content and personalised advertising.
BJP MP Baijayant Panda
Opposition in Parliament
Stalling of the bill
BJP MP Baijayant Panda
Panda accused the Opposition of engaging in "unnecessary and mindless disruptions" that kept the SHIELD Bill from being introduced, calling it unusual for private members' bills to face such hurdles.
Opposition in Parliament
The House was adjourned before the bill could be taken up, and Opposition MPs have their own private members' bills pending on matters they want to raise.
Key facts
- Proposed bill
- Safeguarding Healthy Internet Environments for Little Digital-Natives (SHIELD) Bill, 2025
- Proposer
- BJP MP Baijayant Panda
- Age restriction
- Children under 13 barred from creating accounts without verified parental consent
- Definition of child
- Anyone under 18
- Maximum penalty
- Up to ₹10 crore; repeated or deliberate breaches risk suspension of services under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act
- Status
- Not introduced; House adjourned; previously stalled twice in February and during the Winter Session
- International context
- Australia became the first country to ban social media for under-16s; France also requires parental consent/age verification
Quotes
Baijayant Panda
BJP Member of Parliament representing Kendrapara
“He termed the disruptions as 'unnecessary and mindless disruptions'.”
livemint.com
Sources
Related news
New Zealand’s Under-16 Social Media Bill Faces Coalition Doubts
New Zealand Plans Under-16 Social Media Ban Bill
India Studies Meta’s $17.1 Billion Settlement on Child Safety
Countries Move to Tighten Children’s Social Media Access Rules
New Zealand bill would require platforms to verify users' ages
Slovakia proposes social-media ban for children under 16
India Replaces Sri Lanka as 2027 Women’s Champions Trophy Host
Mitsubishi Revives Pajero With 201PS Fifth-Generation SUV
IIM-Born CEO Says Australia’s Everyday Life Runs on Trust
UN Report Says 1.5°C Overshoot, Return Remains Possible
Uday Kotak Warns Global Bond Markets Face Roller-Coaster Volatility
