Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Australia’s decision to restrict 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 offered valuable lessons for India and the rest of the world. He said India is “learning a lot” from Australia’s legislation and its approach to creating a safer online environment for children.
Speaking at the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne, PM Modi praised Australia’s approach to information technology regulation and online safety, particularly measures aimed at safeguarding children from the harmful effects of social media.
“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,” PM Modi said while addressing a gathering attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other leaders.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come as Australia moves ahead with one of the world’s toughest social media regulations, requiring major platforms to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts. The legislation is aimed at addressing concerns over online harm, cyberbullying and the impact of social media on children's mental health.
The Prime Minister’s remarks assume added significance at a time when calls for similar restrictions are gaining momentum across India. Karnataka has recently moved to ban social media access for children under the age of 16, while Andhra Pradesh has indicated that it is also considering introducing comparable measures.
Further addressing the Melbourne event, PM Modi highlighted the role of younger generations in shaping the future of bilateral relations, saying growing interaction between Indian and Australian youth was creating a model that could have a positive impact globally.
“What is particularly encouraging is that our younger generations are growing together. 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.
The Prime Minister emphasised the strength of bilateral ties, as he invoked a popular analogy often used in India.
“As you rightly said, if one is added to one, it becomes two. But when one stands alongside another, it becomes eleven. In the truest sense, 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, drawing applause from the audience.
PM Modi added that the India-Australia partnership was entering a new phase marked by expanding cooperation across trade, defence, technology, space and maritime security. He said the India-Australia partnership was uniquely positioned to contribute to global progress because of the similarities between the two societies and added that emerging domains such as maritime security and outer space offered significant opportunities for collaboration.
