The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament today, called for considering age-based access for social media and other digital platforms. While rising digitisation has led to an increase in access to the internet, it has also resulted in digital addiction among youth, the Survey, prepared by the office of chief economic advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, said. “India’s youth are living in an intensely digital environment. While access fuels learning, jobs, and civic participation, compulsive and high-intensity use can impose real economic and social costs, ranging from lost study hours and reduced productivity to healthcare burdens and financial losses resulting from risky online behaviours,” it said. The Survey said that younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content, and cited this as the rationale for considering age-based access to social media. Additionally, it said that platforms should be made responsible for implementing age verification and age-appropriate defaults, particularly for social media, auto-play features, and targeted advertising. “Parental workshops should be provided through schools and community centres to train guardians in setting healthy boundaries, recognising signs of addiction, and using parental control tools effectively,” the Survey said. The Survey also talked about offering… Read MoreInc42 Media
