I&B Ministry
MIB consolidates media units
MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has integrated the Directorate of Film Publicity (DFP), Song and Drama Division (S&DD) and the directorate of audio visual publicity (DAVP) under the banner of Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC). The media units, which promote the programmes and policies of the government through different media, will function as divisions of the BOC.
According to the ministry’s order, all Regional Offices/Field units of S&DD and DAVP will be subsumed in the 22 Regional Offices and 147 Field Units of DFP. Accordingly, S&DD and DAVP will have to close their existing Regional/Field Units and co-locate their Units in the Regional/Field Units closest to them. The Integrated Regional Units will be re-named as Regional Outreach Bureaus (ROBs). The Additional Director General (Region) will be the Controlling Officer for all administrative and financial matters relating to the ROB concerned.
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.
