Andhra Pradesh Panel Proposes Restrictions on Smartphone Usage for Children Under 13
The AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has recommended a strict, graded policy to restrict smartphone and social media use for children under 13, citing urgent concerns regarding mental health, academic performance, and online safety for developing children in India.
Highlights
- •APSCPCR proposes a graded policy to limit smartphone and social media use for children under 13.
- •The policy is inspired by protective digital legislation used in countries like Australia, France, and China.
- •Data shows over 60% of Indian children under 10 are regular smartphone users, increasing exposure to online risks.
- •The report highlights that the prefrontal cortex in young children is still developing, making them vulnerable to digital impulse control issues.
The AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has officially proposed the implementation of a structured policy aimed at limiting the use of smartphones and social media platforms among children younger than 13 years. This initiative is driven by growing concerns regarding the negative impacts of excessive digital engagement on children's mental well-being, academic achievements, sleep quality, and overall safety in online environments.
The commission has submitted its comprehensive recommendations to the state Human Resources Development Minister, Nara Lokesh. According to commission member Dr. D. Sreenivasa Murthy, the framework was developed following a detailed review of international legislative models. Countries like Australia, which mandates a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts, France, with its stricter school-level restrictions, and China, which utilizes a Minor Mode framework to control screen time and enforce safety features, served as key references for these suggestions.
Addressing Digital Safety and Smartphone Use Among Children
The proposed guidelines emphasize the necessity of restricting screen exposure. Specifically, the panel has advised zero passive screen time for children under the age of two, while advocating for limited, strictly supervised device usage for older age groups. These steps are considered vital to foster a safer digital upbringing.
Dr. Sreenivasa Murthy stressed the urgency for Andhra Pradesh to adopt a robust child digital safety policy. As India currently stands as the world's second-largest smartphone market, with approximately 900 million users as of 2025, the vulnerability of children is significant. Data indicates that over 60 percent of children under 10 in India regularly utilize smartphones, often accessing their parents' devices. In many semi-urban and rural areas of the state, children as young as six or seven are frequently exposed to unfiltered online content.
Research from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) highlights the severity of the situation. A survey involving 5,811 participants revealed that 60 percent of children utilize smartphones for instant messaging. Furthermore, despite established age restrictions, 38 percent of 10-year-olds manage Facebook accounts, and 24 percent maintain Instagram profiles.
The panel's report also underlines biological risks, noting that the prefrontal cortex—the brain segment governing impulse control and judgment—does not reach full maturity until an individual is in their mid-20s. For children under 13, whose cognitive systems are actively developing, unrestricted smartphone access presents significant developmental challenges. While existing frameworks like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 provide a foundation, the commission highlights that stronger enforcement is necessary to effectively protect minors from evolving digital risks.
