Digital Personal Data Protection Rules 2025: Strict Social Media Regulations for Children: Parental Approval Required
In today’s digital age, smartphones have become an integral part of people’s lives. From the moment they wake up in the morning to when they go to bed at night, people of all ages—from children to adults—use their phones for various activities, including travel, transactions, shopping, and entertainment.
However, health experts have recently raised concerns over children spending long hours on social media, warning that this could have serious negative effects on their physical and mental well-being. Additionally, data privacy concerns related to children have sparked debates globally.
In response, several countries have taken steps to protect children from the potential risks of internet and social media usage. Following this trend, the Indian government is now preparing to introduce measures aimed at safeguarding children online.
As part of this effort, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released a draft of the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 on Friday. A key provision in the draft mandates that parental consent will be required for children under the age of 18 to open social media accounts.
The government has invited public feedback on the draft rules, which can be submitted on the MyGov.in website. The feedback will be reviewed after February 18, and the final version of the law will be drafted based on the suggestions received.
According to the notification issued by MeitY, children will only be allowed to create social media accounts with verified parental or guardian consent. Furthermore, any processing of children’s personal data by social media platforms will require explicit permission from their parents or guardians.
This measure ensures that companies operating social media platforms cannot collect, use, or store children’s personal data without parental approval.
The draft rules also include several consumer-friendly provisions aimed at enhancing data protection. The proposed regulations grant users greater control over their personal information, requiring companies to maintain transparency regarding the purpose of data collection.
Users will have the right to inquire why their data is being collected and can request its deletion. In cases of data breaches, companies may face penalties of up to ₹250 crores.
Digital Personal Data Protection Rules 2025: Parental guidance on smartphone usage with an emphasis on internet safety and data privacy
FAQs on the Proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025
- What are the key objectives of the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025?
The primary objectives of the proposed rules are to safeguard children’s online safety, protect their personal data, and ensure data transparency. It mandates parental consent for children under 18 to create social media accounts and enhances user control over personal information. - How will the rules affect social media account creation for children?
Under the proposed rules, children below 18 years of age can only open social media accounts with verified parental or guardian consent. Social media platforms are prohibited from processing or storing children’s personal data without explicit parental approval. - What are the penalties for companies in case of data breaches or violations?
If a company is found responsible for a data breach or fails to comply with the regulations, it may face penalties of up to ₹250 crores. This provision is intended to ensure accountability and encourage companies to enhance data security. - How can the public provide feedback on the draft rules?
The government has invited public feedback on the draft rules, which can be submitted through the official website MyGov.in. The last date for submitting feedback is February 18, after which the government will review the suggestions and finalize the rules. - What rights will users have under these new rules?
Users will have enhanced rights, including the ability to know why their data is being collected, request data deletion, and demand transparency from companies regarding data usage. This ensures greater user control and accountability from data processors.
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