Mumbai: In a bold move to tackle the rising concerns of online gaming addiction among children, the Indian government has drawn inspiration from Australia's under-16 social media ban to craft its own set of protective measures. Picture a brighter, safer digital playground—where kids explore responsibly, shielded from the traps of addiction and harmful content. With fresh policies and advisories, India is taking a joyful leap towards making the internet a safer, more accountable space for its youngest users.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has enacted the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) to ensure that intermediaries, including social media platforms, adhere to strict due diligence obligations. These rules mandate that intermediaries refrain from hosting or publishing content that violates existing laws or promotes gambling, money laundering, or content harmful to children. Platforms are held accountable for the swift removal of unlawful information and addressing user grievances under these provisions.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education has issued advisories for parents and teachers on overcoming the downsides of online gaming. The advisories, issued in 2021, emphasise that unrestricted online gaming can lead to severe addiction, classified as a gaming disorder, and warn of the associated mental and physical stress on children. The government has recommended the widespread circulation of these advisories to raise awareness and encourage effective action among parents and educators.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has also taken proactive steps to regulate gaming advertisements. In its advisory to private satellite television channels, MIB stipulated guidelines that prohibit gaming advertisements from depicting individuals under 18 years of age. It further mandates disclaimers warning of financial risks and the addictive nature of gaming. Advertisements must avoid portraying gaming as an alternative employment option or as a marker of success.
In 2024, the MIB issued an additional advisory to media and social media platforms, urging them to refrain from broadcasting advertisements for online betting platforms. It also advised online intermediaries not to target such advertisements at Indian audiences.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has taken significant steps by establishing the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to provide a coordinated framework for law enforcement agencies addressing cybercrimes. The MHA also launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) to allow the public to report cybercrimes, including those targeting children. A toll-free helpline, 1930, has been set up to assist citizens in lodging cybercrime complaints efficiently.
These initiatives represent the government’s multi-faceted approach to safeguarding children from the harmful effects of online gaming while ensuring a secure and accountable digital environment.
