An ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed legislation to ban social media for children under 16 in India, a move that could significantly impact global tech giants like Meta and YouTube. The proposal, backed by lawmaker L.S.K. Devarayalu, aims to protect young people from the alleged harms of social media addiction and to curb the exploitation of Indian user data by foreign platforms.

The global debate on social media's impact on children's health and safety has intensified, with Australia recently becoming the first country to implement such a ban. France, Britain, Denmark, and Greece are also exploring similar legislation. This trend poses a new regulatory challenge for tech companies, which rely heavily on Indian users for growth and data.

India, with 750 million smartphones and a billion internet users, is a crucial market for social media platforms. A ban could force these companies to adapt their strategies, potentially leading to losses in revenue and user engagement. Meta has expressed support for parental oversight laws but cautions against pushing teens to less regulated sites.

The proposed bill in India is a private member's bill, which, while not binding, often sparks important debates in parliament. If enacted, it could set a precedent for other countries and reshape the digital strategies of tech giants operating in India.