Economic Survey flags harm from predatory social platforms, hints at regulatory framework

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TL;DR

India’s Economic Survey 2025-26 sharply criticises social media platforms for having “predatory” business models that prioritise engagement and extended screen time — especially among youth. The survey highlights rising digital addiction and its impacts on attention, academic outcomes and productivity. It suggests the government could consider age-based access limits for children and urges platforms to enforce age verification and age-appropriate defaults, while also recommending family and school-level digital wellness measures.

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India’s annual Economic Survey has taken a strong stance against major social media platforms, describing their business models as engineered to keep users hooked — particularly younger people — and fuelling what the report labels a growing problem of digital addiction. The survey warns that this addiction is already detracting from academic performance, reducing workplace productivity and harming attention spans.  

The document singles out algorithms used by platforms that are designed to “maximise engagement and time spent on apps,” with people aged 15-24 especially targeted by features such as autoplay and tailored content. While the survey stops short of calling for a national ban on social media for minors, it opens the door to age-based access limits — similar to moves by other countries — and suggests these could be considered as a public policy option.

“Policies on age-based access limits may be considered, as younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content,….Platforms should be made responsible for enforcing age verification and age-appropriate defaults, particularly for social media, gambling apps, auto-play features, and targeted advertising,” – Chief economic adviser, V. Anantha Nageswaran

The survey also notes that states such as Andhra Pradesh and Goa are studying international regulatory models and may pilot age-curb measures, such as school phone bans or testing compliance frameworks, before national rollout. Under India’s existing data protection regime, it remains a requirement that services aimed at under-18 users obtain parental consent, and stricter rules on behavioural tracking and targeted advertising to minors are set to come into force.  

The report urges that regulation alone won’t solve the problem. It calls on families to adopt practical measures, such as limiting screen time, having device-free hours, and encouraging shared offline activities. As India stands as one of the world’s largest internet markets — with around 750 million smartphones and over a billion internet users — the stakes for shaping healthier digital habits are especially high.  

Platforms like Meta have publicly said they support laws that encourage parental oversight, but have warned that bans could push teens toward less safe, unregulated spaces online. Other countries, from Australia to France and Canada, are also debating or implementing age-related restrictions on access.