A private bill proposed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda would bar children under 13 from creating accounts on social media and online gaming platforms, aiming to strengthen online safeguards. The SHIELD Bill, 2025, also calls for age verification and parental controls, and seeks restrictions related to personalised advertising.
The outlets describe the bill as a response to risks children may face online. NDTV says the legislation would require platforms to shield children from exposure to pornography, gambling and simulated betting, violent or extremist content, and drug-related material. Mint notes the bill has previously stalled twice before and includes penalties for platforms that do not comply with its requirements.
While the reporting focuses on different elements—Mint highlights account restrictions, age checks, and advertising controls, while NDTV emphasizes the categories of harmful content the bill targets—the coverage broadly agrees on the core proposal: tighter platform obligations and restrictions for minors under 13, backed by compliance expectations and penalties.
