BJP MP Baijayant Panda has proposed the SHIELD Bill, 2025, a Private Members’ Bill seeking stronger safeguards for children on social media and online gaming platforms.

According to the proposed legislation, children under 13 years of age could be prohibited from creating social media and online gaming accounts without verified parental consent.

The bill seeks to introduce measures including age verification, parental controls and restrictions on personalised advertising targeted at minors. It also aims to strengthen protections for children from potentially harmful online content.

The proposed legislation comes amid growing international debate over children's access to social media and concerns about online safety, privacy, addictive design and exposure to harmful content.

‘SHIELD’ Bill Seeks to Protect Kids Online, Proposes Fines for Non-Compliance

Children Under 13 May Be Barred From Social Media Without Parental Consent | SHIELD Bill 2025

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund, ruling that Facebook and Instagram contributed to harming young users and created a public nuisance.

The court also directed Meta to implement stronger youth safety measures, including limits on teen usage, stricter controls on adult interactions with minors, notification restrictions, and safeguards against inappropriate AI chatbot interactions.

The landmark ruling could influence similar lawsuits across the United States, where dozens of states and more than 1,300 school districts are pursuing legal action against social media companies over alleged harm to children.

Meta Hit With $567 Million Penalty Over Teen Mental Health | Facebook & Instagram Under Fire

Social media creators in India might soon face tighter government regulation after a recent Supreme Court ruling. The court raised concerns over the lack of accountability in user-generated content (UGC) on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, particularly after a controversial show, India's Got Latent, sparked legal challenges over its obscene and offensive content.&nbsp;The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed dissatisfaction with the current "self-regulation" model adopted by media companies and online platforms. While the Indian government is working on new guidelines, the court emphasised the need for an independent, neutral, and autonomous body to oversee and regulate online content.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unveiling-vikran-1-india-s-first-commercial-private-rocket-launched-know-about-payload-and-orbital-adjustments-1764235551607">Unveiling Vikram-1: India's first commercial private rocket launched. know about payload and orbital adjustments</a>&nbsp;The court pointed out that the current system of self-regulation by platforms and content creators was ineffective. "If self-regulation works, why do violations continue?" asked CJI Kant. He stressed that while freedom of speech is fundamental, it shouldn't come at the cost of harmful or "perverse" content being spread unchecked. The court also raised concerns over the lack of age verification measures and the failure of warnings or disclaimers to prevent exposure to inappropriate content.&nbsp;The case arose from multiple FIRs filed against popular YouTubers Ranveer Allahabadia and Ashish Chanchlani for content deemed offensive in the India's Got Latent show. The Supreme Court has been scrutinising this issue as part of a broader debate on online obscenity and the need for stronger regulatory measures. As the government works to finalise new guidelines, the Supreme Court suggested that an expert committee should study the issue further, inviting public suggestions before implementing changes.&nbsp;This move, if enforced, could significantly impact content creators, requiring them to be more mindful of the content they post online. For now, social media creators are on alert as they wait to see how the regulations evolve.

Are you a social media creator? Brace for control, as Indian top court asks govt on regulation mechanisms

Social media creators in India might soon face tighter government regulation after a recent Supreme Court ruling. The court raised concerns over the lack of accountability in user-generated content (UGC) on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, particularly after a controversial show, India's Got Latent, sparked legal challenges over its obscene and offensive content. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed dissatisfaction with the current "self-regulation" model adopted by media companies and online platforms. While the Indian government is working on new guidelines, the court emphasised the need for an independent, neutral, and autonomous body to oversee and regulate online content. Also Read: Unveiling Vikram-1: India's first commercial private rocket launched. know about payload and orbital adjustments The court pointed out that the current system of self-regulation by platforms and content creators was ineffective. "If self-regulation works, why do violations continue?" asked CJI Kant. He stressed that while freedom of speech is fundamental, it shouldn't come at the cost of harmful or "perverse" content being spread unchecked. The court also raised concerns over the lack of age verification measures and the failure of warnings or disclaimers to prevent exposure to inappropriate content. The case arose from multiple FIRs filed against popular YouTubers Ranveer Allahabadia and Ashish Chanchlani for content deemed offensive in the India's Got Latent show. The Supreme Court has been scrutinising this issue as part of a broader debate on online obscenity and the need for stronger regulatory measures. As the government works to finalise new guidelines, the Supreme Court suggested that an expert committee should study the issue further, inviting public suggestions before implementing changes. This move, if enforced, could significantly impact content creators, requiring them to be more mindful of the content they post online. For now, social media creators are on alert as they wait to see how the regulations evolve.

The Supreme Court calls for a neutral, independent body to regulate social media content. Creators may face tighter government oversight to curb obscene or harmful content

Are you a social media creator? Brace for control, as Indian top court asks government on regulation mechanisms

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised questions over the new social media rules imposed by the Pakistan government, the media reported on Saturday.

The court on Friday heard a petition filed by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against the recently approved regulations titled 'Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020', The Express Tribune reported.

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The PBC contended that the rules violated rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed his displeasure, saying that if the new rules discouraged criticism, it would "discourage accountability".

"Criticism is very important for democracy," he said, adding that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should encourage it instead.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/major-embarrassment-for-pakistan-at-un-over-100-countries-decline-to-extend-support-to-resolution-backed-by-it-347332">Major embarrassment for Pakistan at UN: Over 100 countries decline to extend support to resolution backed by it</a>

The IHC later issued directions to the PTA to take into account the objections raised by PBC and satisfy the court at the next hearing on December 18.

The government approved the social media rules last month despite criticism from human rights activists and organisations.

One of the new rules requires a social media company` to remove, suspend or disable access to any online content within 24 hours, and in emergency situations, within six hours, after being intimated by the authority.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised questions over the new social media rules imposed by the Pakistan government, the media reported on Saturday. The court on Friday heard a petition filed by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against the recently approved regulations titled 'Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020', The Express Tribune reported.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised questions over the new social media rules imposed by the Pakistan government, the media reported on Saturday. The court on Friday heard a petition filed by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against the recently approved regulations titled 'Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020', The Express Tribune reported. Also read| Pakistan: Woman fakes death to claim insurance worth $1.5 million The PBC contended that the rules violated rights guaranteed by the Constitution. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed his displeasure, saying that if the new rules discouraged criticism, it would "discourage accountability". "Criticism is very important for democracy," he said, adding that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should encourage it instead. Also read | Major embarrassment for Pakistan at UN: Over 100 countries decline to extend support to resolution backed by it The IHC later issued directions to the PTA to take into account the objections raised by PBC and satisfy the court at the next hearing on December 18. The government approved the social media rules last month despite criticism from human rights activists and organisations. One of the new rules requires a social media company` to remove, suspend or disable access to any online content within 24 hours, and in emergency situations, within six hours, after being intimated by the authority.

Islamabad HC questions government's new social media rules

2019 Lok Sabha polls: Social media dos and don'ts for parties, candidates