India’s proposed SHIELD Bill, 2025, seeks to address several problems associated with children’s use of digital platforms, ranging from excessive screen time and inappropriate content to targeted advertising and online gaming.
Moved by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, the private member’s bill proposes a framework under which social media companies, gaming platforms and other digital intermediaries would have specific responsibilities toward minors.
The most widely discussed provision is the proposed restriction on children under 13 creating accounts without verified parental consent. This would apply to social media and online gaming platforms.
But the proposed legislation goes considerably further.
It calls for mandatory age-verification mechanisms for platforms accessible to minors. The idea is to ensure that digital companies know whether their users fall into categories requiring additional protection.
The bill also proposes parental-control dashboards. Parents could potentially use these tools to monitor activity, control privacy settings and limit screen time. This would give guardians greater control over how children interact with digital services.
Screen time has become a significant concern for families as smartphones and connected devices have become central to children’s daily lives. The proposed law seeks to give parents technological tools to establish boundaries.
Content safety is another major element. The proposal seeks to protect minors from pornography, gambling and simulated betting, violent or extremist material and drug-related content.
This would mean that platforms could have to take a more proactive approach to preventing children from encountering certain categories of content.
The bill also addresses the commercial side of children’s online activity. It proposes restrictions on tracking and profiling minors and seeks to prevent personalised advertising directed at children.
The proposed approach effectively treats children differently from adult consumers. Instead of allowing platforms to use children’s behaviour in the same way they use adult user data, the bill seeks to establish stronger restrictions.
Gaming platforms are an important part of this discussion. Modern online games can include communication tools, communities, digital purchases and algorithmically recommended content. By including gaming services in the proposed framework, the legislation recognises that children’s online risks are not limited to conventional social networks.
The bill also proposes significant penalties for violations. Platforms could face fines of up to ₹10 crore, while repeated or deliberate violations could potentially result in temporary suspension or blocking under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.
Such provisions could significantly increase the cost of non-compliance for technology companies.
However, the proposal remains at the parliamentary stage. The SHIELD Bill was scheduled to be introduced as a private member’s bill but could not be taken up because of adjournments.
Consequently, none of these proposed restrictions should currently be treated as a new legal requirement.
The future debate will likely involve several competing considerations. Child-safety advocates may seek strong protections, while technology companies may need clarity on practical compliance requirements. Parents may welcome stronger controls but could also have questions about privacy and age-verification systems.
The proposal therefore represents more than a possible social media age restriction. It is an attempt to rethink the relationship between children and digital platforms.
If the bill progresses, Parliament will have the opportunity to examine whether these proposed safeguards can provide meaningful protection while preserving children’s legitimate access to education, communication, entertainment and technology.
