India needs its own social media ecosystem to protect children

A grown-up in India named Meenakshi Lekhi wrote an article about social media.

Social media means apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube where people share pictures and videos.

She said these apps are like businesses that make money by watching what we look at.

She thinks they can be bad for kids because they keep us glued to our screens.

Some children feel sad or left out when they see other people's posts.

She says spending too much time on screens can even make it hard to write with a pencil.

Many countries are making rules to keep kids safer online.

In Australia you must be 16 to use social media, and in France you must be 15.

She wants India to make its own social media apps so children's information stays safe and close to home.

She also says parents, teachers, and tech companies all need to help kids stay safe.