India's SHIELD Bill Would Ban Under-13 Social Media Accounts

Violators could face penalties of up to ₹10 crore. Repeated or deliberate breaches may lead to temporary suspension or blocking of services under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.

This is the third attempt. The bill was twice deferred in February after the House adjourned, The Sunday Guardian reported. Panda could not introduce it during the Winter Session either, as disruptions blocked private members' business.

After the earlier delays, Panda accused the Opposition of what he called “unnecessary and mindless disruptions” in Parliament. He said private members' bills, separate from the government's agenda, rarely face such hurdles.

The renewed push comes as other countries tighten rules. Australia last year became the first to ban social media for under-16s. China has strict limits on gaming and social media for minors. France and Italy require parental consent or age verification. Spain, Denmark, the UK, and Malaysia have introduced measures against harmful content.

Private members' bills are seldom enacted. Only about a dozen have become law since Independence. The SHIELD Bill still faces the same parliamentary obstacles that blocked it twice this year.