States responding to social media with bans but is that enough?

States like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are moving to restrict or ban social media use for children, citing concerns around addiction and mental health.These proposals reflect a growing urgency within India to address the impact of digital platforms on young users especially after the US court verdict. However, digital platforms do not operate within News Source: The Print state boundaries. Enforcement across devices, platforms, and identities requires national-level policy, platform cooperation, and technical infrastructure. Statelevel bans risk becoming symbolic unless backed by coordinated implementation across the country. For India, the question is not whether to ban but whether platforms can be redesigned to protect young users at scale.

For India, the question is not whether to ban but whether platforms can be redesigned to protect young users at scale.