Actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has advocated for banning social media for children in India, stressing the importance of preserving real childhoods and fostering stronger family connections. Referring to Australia’s recent move to restrict social media for kids under 16, he said such a step could free children from screen addiction and strengthen family bonds.

“Countries like Australia have already banned social media for those under 16, and it’s time India considers the same. Our children deserve real childhoods, stronger family bonds, and freedom from screen addiction. Our government has taken incredible steps for the nation’s future, and this could set another powerful example. Let’s protect our kids today for a better India tomorrow,” Sood wrote on X.

His post quickly sparked debate, with opinions divided. One user commented, “Sonu Sood raises an important point—protecting children from early social media exposure is crucial for their mental health and real-life connections. India must consider such steps to ensure a healthier, happier future generation.” Another added, “Social media, like any technology, can be a valuable learning tool if used wisely. Guidance is key.”

In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that children under 16 are now restricted from using social media, making the country the first in the world to implement such a policy. Albanese highlighted that the move aims to give parents and children peace of mind and allow kids to truly experience childhood. This decision follows the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, passed on November 28, 2024, which sets a mandatory minimum age of 16 for accounts on certain platforms and prevents parents from giving consent for younger children to join.