I&B Ministry
India moves closer to age restrictions on social media
Government weighs options from under-13 ban to graded access amid rising safety concerns.
MUMBAI: The Indian government is finally ready to draw a line in the scroll because when children are spending more time on screens than in playgrounds, even policymakers have to hit pause. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has held multiple rounds of discussions with social media platforms and industry stakeholders to explore whether companies can technically enforce age-based access controls. Currently, India has no uniform mechanism to restrict social media usage by age.
The issue has gained momentum at both state and national levels. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have already signalled intent to introduce restrictions, with more states expected to follow. Internationally, Australia has banned access for users under 16, while similar measures are under consideration in parts of Europe and the US.
Officials indicated that broader political consensus is being sought before any nationwide decision. Policymakers are evaluating options ranging from a complete ban for younger users to a graded system allowing limited, age-appropriate access on platforms such as Youtube and Meta.
A key point of debate is the age threshold whether restrictions should apply below 13 (in line with several global norms) or extend to 16. The discussion has been intensified by concerns raised by the National Human Rights Commission about children’s exposure to harmful content, misinformation, cyberbullying, fraud and digital addiction.
Industry voices have cautioned against an outright ban, arguing it could push younger users towards unregulated or illicit spaces, making enforcement even harder. The government is studying global regulatory approaches and their outcomes, while the Economic Survey earlier this year recommended age-based controls and stronger platform accountability.
With consultations ongoing and multiple stakeholders involved, the framework is still evolving, but momentum is clearly building toward some form of regulation. Any decision will have significant implications for social media companies operating in India, given the country’s large and young user base.
In a nation where children are growing up with smartphones in hand, the Centre is preparing to decide how early they should be allowed to scroll striking a delicate balance between protection and freedom in the world’s largest digital playground.
I&B Ministry
MIB cancels registrations of 114 MSOs in compliance crackdown
Total active MSOs now 756 after 1,159 exits since early 2025.
MUMBAI- MIB just pulled the plug on 114 more cable operators because when the regulator says “cut the cord,” it really means cut the cord. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has cancelled the registrations of 114 multi-system operators (MSOs) for non-compliance, denial of security clearance and suppression of critical information, continuing its year-long clean-up of India’s cable distribution ecosystem.
As of 28 February 2026, the total number of registered MSOs has fallen to 756 after 1,159 operators exited the market through cancellations, voluntary surrenders or lapsed licences. This follows a similar exercise in the previous year when, as of 31 March 2025, around 1,045 registrations had expired, been surrendered or cancelled, bringing the count down from higher levels to 845 before the latest round.
The sustained contraction signals a structural shift toward a more organised, compliant sector. Regulatory scrutiny has intensified on operational transparency, adherence to licensing norms and security clearances, effectively weeding out smaller or non-compliant players.
Industry observers view the moves as a deliberate push toward consolidation, where only operators meeting strict standards remain active. Additional rejections of over 14 applications last year on grounds such as non-payment of dues and suppression of information further underscore the ministry’s stricter stance.
In India’s cable TV landscape, where channels once multiplied faster than viewers could count them, MIB is quietly rewiring the entire grid, one cancellation at a time until only the cleanest signals survive.
