Meta Urges Uniform Social Media Rules as States Plan Age Limits for Minors
The remarks come as some Indian states consider age-based restrictions on social media use.
Meta Urges Uniform Social Media Rules as States Plan Age Limits for Minors
Meta has said that any restrictions on minors using social media should be applied uniformly across platforms and implemented carefully to avoid pushing young users toward unsafe or unregulated services.
In a statement on Friday, the company said it supports efforts aimed at creating safer and more positive online experiences for young users but cautioned against measures that single out only a few companies.
The remarks come as some Indian states consider age-based restrictions on social media use.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently announced that the state plans to prohibit social media use for children below 16 years of age. The announcement was made while presenting the state budget for the financial year 2026–27.
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has also said the state intends to restrict social media access for children under the age of 13.
Meta, which operates platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, said parents should have greater control over their children’s online activities. The company supported measures that would allow parents to approve app downloads at the app-store level.
It also noted that its existing policies already prohibit children under 13 from creating accounts on its platforms.
The company warned that strict bans could encourage teenagers to move to platforms where safety safeguards or default protections may not exist.
India’s Economic Survey released in January suggested exploring age-based online access rules to protect children from digital addiction and harmful content, while recommending stronger age verification systems.