Children under the age of 13 in India could be prohibited from creating accounts on social media and online gaming platforms without verified parental consent, as per a proposed private member’s bill introduced in Parliament.

The Safeguarding Healthy Internet Environments for Little Digital- Natives (SHIELD) Bill, 2025, also seeks to prevent digital platforms from tracking, profiling or targeting minors with personalised advertisements.

The legislation, proposed by BJP MP Baijyanath Panda, calls for mandatory age-verification measures on platforms accessible to minors. It also proposes parental-control dashboards through which guardians could monitor the online activity of their respective children, manage privacy settings and impose screen-time restrictions.

Bill could not be taken up in Parliament

The SHIELD Bill was among two private members’ bills scheduled to be introduced in Parliament on Friday. However, owing to the adjournment of the proceedings, the bills could not be taken up.

According to officials, the second proposed legislation seeks to regulate the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create realistic digital imitations of people. Notably, private members’ bills are introduced by MPs who are not ministers.

However, very few such proposals ultimately turn into law. Only around a dozen private members’ bills have been passed by Parliament since India gained Independence.

Bill mentions stricter safeguards for children

The SHIELD Bill defines a child as a person below the age of 18 and seeks to establish specific safety obligations for social media platforms, online gaming services and other digital intermediaries.

As per the proposed framework, platforms would be prohibited from tracking or profiling children for commercial purposes or serving them personalised advertisements. The legislation also aims to make digital platforms take measures to prevent minors from accessing or being exposed to potentially harmful content, including pornography, gambling and simulated betting. Under this, violent or extremist content, as well as content pertaining to drugs has also been included.

Platforms could face penalty of up to Rs 10 cr

Digital platforms found flouting the proposed provisions could face penalties of up to Rs 10 crore. Additionally, repeated or wilful violations could attract stricter action, including temporary suspension or blocking of services under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

The proposed age-verification requirements and parental-control mechanism are aimed at giving guardians greater oversight of children’s digital activity while placing additional responsibilities on online platforms.

However, provided that the SHIELD Bill is a private member’s bill, its introduction and eventual passage into law is subject to its consideration and approval by Parliament.