New Delhi, Feb. 23 -- India has recently joined a growing list of countries weighing restrictions on children's access to social media.

Speaking on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit last week, information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government is discussing age-based restrictions on social media platforms. The remarks follow closely after the Economic Survey flagged the need to address "digital addiction" among the young.

At the state level, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala are also examining similar restrictions. The push reflects rising concern over online safety risks and mental health challenges among children. Yet serious questions remain over whether such measures would deliver the intended results....