Time To Protect Children From Digital Poison

The world is finally waking up. Britain has joined Australia in banning social media for children under 16. Other countries, from France to Malaysia, are introducing similar restrictions. India is also debating the idea. This is not a war against technology but for our children’s future. Social media was never designed for children. It was designed to capture attention, to keep users scrolling, and to sell advertisements. For adults, this is already harmful. For children, it is devastating. Their brains are still developing. Their sense of self is still forming. Their emotional resilience is still fragile. Yet we hand them devices that expose them to bullying, unrealistic beauty standards, dangerous content, and endless comparison. The result is a generation more anxious, more depressed, and more isolated than ever before. The research is detailed. Excessive screen time is linked to poor mental health, sleep disruption, reduced attention spans, and declining academic performance. Children who spend hours on social media are more likely to experience low self-esteem and loneliness. They are also more vulnerable to online predators, cyberbullying, and harmful content. The platforms know this. They have the data. But they have done little to protect children because protection does not generate profit. This is where governments must step in. Australia has shown the way. Britain is following. India must not lag behind. The chief economic adviser has already called social media “predatory”. We need action. A ban alone is not enough. Parents must also take responsibility. We cannot give children unlimited screen time and then wonder why they are struggling. Schools must educate students about digital wellness. Governments must enforce age verification and hold platforms accountable. The technology exists. What is lacking is political will. Every day we delay is a day another child is harmed. We cannot afford to wait. The global movement is growing. India must join it. Our children deserve a childhood free from the poison of social media. They deserve to play outside, to read books, to have real conversations, to develop real skills. They deserve to be children. It is our duty to protect them.