Social media offers opportunities for learning and communication but also exposes children to addiction, manipulation, cyberbullying and harmful content.

Key challenges:

• Rapid technological change makes regulation difficult to enforce.
• VPNs, encryption and alternative platforms can bypass restrictions.
• Excessive regulation may create tension with innovation and digital access.
• The emergence of AI will create newer risks of manipulation and misinformation.

Way Forward

• Strengthen child-safety standards and platform accountability.
• Promote digital citizenship, critical thinking and ethical reasoning in schools.
• Improve digital literacy among parents and encourage active parental engagement.
• Build cooperation among government, technology companies, schools and civil society.
• Draw upon India's value-based educational traditions, such as the Guru-Shishya tradition, to develop character and self-discipline.

Conclusion:

India should adopt a balanced approach combining regulation with education, parental guidance and ethical digital literacy. The goal should be to create responsible digital citizens, rather than merely shielding children from technology.