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Opinion Warns Unregulated OTT Platforms Threaten Indian Family Values
This opinion piece says some online shows may change how people think about family and relationships.
The author believes certain programs make crime, cheating, and leaving families seem attractive.
He also worries that older people are sometimes shown as burdens instead of being respected.
The article connects these portrayals to problems such as family arguments, youth delinquency, and lonely seniors.
These claims are presented as the author’s views, not as proven findings in the article.
It recommends stronger age checks so children cannot watch adult material.
It also suggests media-literacy lessons, shared family viewing, and technology-free times at home.
The author wants creators to make entertaining stories that also support Indian cultural values.
The opinion argues that unregulated OTT content is weakening Indian family values, respect for elders, and community traditions.
It claims crime, infidelity, individualism, and anti-family portrayals in web series may influence young viewers and family relationships.
The article says elderly parents are increasingly depicted as burdens, contributing to senior isolation and the decline of joint families.
It calls for mandatory ID-linked age verification, independent content tribunals, media-literacy education, and stronger household technology rules.
The article states that the government disabled access to 50 OTT platforms over two years for allegedly hosting obscene content under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act.
- Who
- Colonel Rohit Dev, the article’s author, discusses the effects of OTT platforms on Indian families and proposes actions for the government, schools, parents, and creators.
- What
- An opinion article argues that unregulated OTT content is eroding Indian family traditions and recommends regulation, education, and family viewing rules.
- Where
- India, particularly Indian homes and the country’s digital media environment.
- When
- The article was published and last updated on September 28, 2026.
- Why
- The author believes unrestricted digital entertainment promotes foreign social ideas and can weaken family relationships, respect for elders, and cultural traditions.
Key facts
- Article type
- Opinion piece; the views are identified as those of the author and not necessarily News18’s.
- Author
- Colonel Rohit Dev, described as a former Indian Army officer and commentator.
- Main concern
- The alleged erosion of family values, marital stability, respect for elders, and community traditions through OTT content.
- Government action cited
- Public access to 50 OTT platforms was reportedly disabled over two years for allegedly hosting obscene content.
- Legal provision cited
- Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- Proposed age control
- Biometric or official identification-linked age verification for adult digital content.
- Proposed public initiative
- Using Mann Ki Baat to promote digital fasting, media literacy, and family values.
Quotes
Mahabharata (Vana Parva 313.128)
An ancient Hindu epic cited by the article in support of protecting ethical and social traditions.
“Let your mother be a physical embodiment of the divine, let your father be your divine anchor, let your teacher guide you as a god, and let your guest be treated with sacred reverence.”
news18.com
“Dharma, or the righteous moral order, protects those who protect it.”
news18.com
Sources
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