PM Modi praises Australia’s under-16 social media ban, says India is ‘learning’ from it

IBNS-CMEDIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised Australia’s decision to bar children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, saying the country’s efforts to regulate the digital space and protect young users offer important lessons for India and the rest of the world.

Addressing the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Modi said India was closely studying Australia’s approach to creating a safer online environment for children.

“The way you are bringing changes in laws related to information technology and social media, and working to protect society, is highly inspiring for the world. We are learning a lot from your efforts and taking many lessons from them,” the Prime Minister said.

Australia’s landmark law

Modi’s remarks come as Australia presses ahead with one of the world’s strictest social media regulations, requiring major platforms to prevent users under the age of 16 from creating accounts.

The legislation aims to curb online harm, cyberbullying and the adverse impact of social media on children’s mental health.

Debate gains momentum in India

The Prime Minister’s comments come amid growing discussions in India over introducing similar safeguards for children.

Karnataka has already moved to prohibit social media access for those under 16, while Andhra Pradesh has indicated it is considering comparable measures.

Youth at the heart of India-Australia ties

Highlighting the growing people-to-people ties between the two nations, Modi said the younger generations of India and Australia were shaping the future of the bilateral relationship.

“The warmth, welcome and respect that Indian youth have received here is remarkable. The coming together and growth of the youth of our two countries is becoming a major laboratory for the world, one that can have a very positive impact on this entire century,” he said.

‘One plus one becomes eleven’

Emphasising the strength of India-Australia ties, Modi invoked a popular Indian analogy to describe the growing partnership.

“If one is added to one, it becomes two. But when one stands alongside another, it becomes eleven. Today India and Australia are standing together. Therefore, one next to one is not becoming two; one next to one is becoming eleven,” he said to applause from the audience.

Expanding strategic partnership

The Prime Minister said the India-Australia relationship was entering a new phase, with cooperation expanding across trade, defence, technology, maritime security and space.

He added that the shared values and complementary strengths of the two countries positioned the partnership to play a significant role in addressing global challenges, with emerging sectors such as maritime security and outer space offering vast opportunities for future collaboration.