Technology
‘Ban social media for young children’: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu says kids should ‘read books and play in the dirt’
Reacting to global moves to restrict children’s access to social media, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urged India to consider a similar approach, triggering a lively debate over digital safety and childhood development.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has reignited the debate around children’s screen time by urging India to consider banning social media access for young children. His remarks came after reports that France has approved legislation to restrict social media use for children under the age of 15.
Sharing his opinion on X, Vembu argued that children would benefit far more from spending time outdoors and developing reading habits than scrolling through social media feeds.”India should ban social media for young children too. I believe young children should read physical books, play in the dirt under the sun and stay away from social media!”
His comments quickly gained attention online, with users divided over whether a complete ban or better digital education is the right path forward.
Global push to regulate children’s social media use
Vembu’s remarks came in response to a post highlighting how several countries are tightening rules around children’s access to social media.
France has passed legislation that will require users to verify their age before accessing social media platforms. The law, expected to take effect in 2027, aims to prevent children under 15 from creating or using social media accounts.
The move follows similar initiatives in countries including Australia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, where governments have been exploring ways to improve online safety for children.
Australia, in particular, became the first country to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16, although reports suggest many teenagers have still managed to bypass the restrictions.
ALSO READ : Realme GT and Neo Series Could Be Heading for a Major Shake-Up: New Phones May Skip Global Launches as Oppo Takes Bigger Role…
Concerns over children’s online safety
Governments across the world are increasingly examining the impact of social media on young users.
The growing concern revolves around issues such as:
- Excessive screen time
- Addictive recommendation algorithms
- Online safety risks
- Cyberbullying
- Mental health challenges among children and teenagers
Supporters of stricter regulations argue that limiting early exposure to social media could encourage healthier childhood development and reduce dependence on digital platforms.
Social media users divided over Vembu’s suggestion
Vembu’s post received mixed reactions.
Many users supported his call, saying children should spend more time reading, playing outdoors and engaging in real-world activities instead of consuming endless online content.
Others, however, argued that banning social media entirely may not be the best solution.
One user suggested that while protecting children from addictive algorithms is important, simply favouring physical books over digital platforms is not enough.
The user argued that instead of imposing blanket bans, governments should focus on regulating social media platforms and improving digital literacy, helping children learn how to use technology responsibly.
Another section of users backed Vembu, saying unrestricted access to social media is contributing to addiction, reducing attention spans and disconnecting children from meaningful learning experiences.
A debate likely to continue
As more countries introduce stricter rules for young social media users, the discussion around balancing digital freedom with child safety is expected to intensify.
Whether India follows the path of countries like France and Australia remains uncertain, but Sridhar Vembu’s comments have once again brought the issue into the national conversation, highlighting the growing challenge of protecting children in an increasingly digital world.
