Meta's recent $125 million settlement with US regulators over child safety practices has sparked renewed calls for India to strengthen its digital protections for minors. The agreement, reached after years of scrutiny, highlights the lack of comprehensive regulations in India to safeguard children from online risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and data privacy breaches.
While India has enacted laws like the Personal Data Protection Bill, experts argue that enforcement remains weak, and specific measures targeting children are lacking. The case underscores the urgent need for a tailored regulatory framework that addresses the unique challenges faced by young users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Parents and activists are urging the government to prioritize child safety in its digital policies. With internet penetration among children rising, the gap between regulatory ambition and implementation is becoming increasingly evident. The Meta settlement serves as a wake-up call for India to act before the risks escalate further.
