Ensuring the safety of children and citizens on digital platforms has become a priority for the government as it considers new steps to address the harm caused by social media and artificial intelligence-generated content, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnao on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha.
“The safety of children on all social media platforms and the safety of women from misleading advertisements is a very important point. We have to take all required steps to ensure the safety of our children and the safety of the entire society on digital platforms, whether it is material generated by artificial intelligence or material disseminated by publishers on social media platforms,” Vaishnaw said in the Lok Sabha.
The minister added that discussions are ongoing on stronger measures, noting that there is “practical consensus” in the advisory committee on the need to take new steps to protect citizens online. He also thanked the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, for conducting a study on issues related to online safety.
These statements come amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on children and the spread of harmful content online, as many countries around the world ban or move to ban social media for teenagers.
Separately, in a written response in Parliament on Wednesday, MeitY Minister of State for Network Jitin Prasada said the government’s policies aim to ensure an “open, safe, reliable and accountable internet” for users, including children.
The government said existing laws such as the Information Technology Act and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 already impose obligations on social media platforms to prevent hosting or sharing illegal or harmful content. Platforms are also required to remove such content within hours when notified by authorities.
The DPDP framework also imposes safeguards for children’s personal data, including verifiable parental consent before platforms process minors’ data and restrictions on tracking, behavioral monitoring or targeted advertising directed at children.
Separately, in another question answered by Minister of State MeitY, the government highlighted concerns about technology-enabled crimes targeting women, including cyberbullying, harassment and the misuse of deepfake technology. Amendments to the IT Rules notified in February 2026 require social media platforms to deploy technical measures to prevent the creation and dissemination of illegal AI-generated content and clearly mark out what synthetic media is permissible.
Under the updated rules, brokers are required to remove illegal content within three hours of receiving a court order or notice from the government.
