Sonakshi & Zaheer Back Social Media Ban for Kids in India

December 13, 2025

Mumbai, Dec 13: Bollywood couple Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal publicly supported the idea of a social media ban for children in India, citing concerns over online safety and the wellbeing of young users. Their comments came during a panel discussion held at the MET College in Mumbai, where the topic was whether India should consider a policy similar to Australia’s recent ban on social media for people under 16.

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— TheHawk (@thehawk) December 12, 2025

Support for Australia-Style Ban for Under-16s

When asked about Australia’s new rule restricting social media access for users below the age of 16, Sonakshi Sinha described the move as a “very good thing” and advocated for a similar approach in India, particularly to protect young minds who are still developing the ability to distinguish right from wrong.

She stressed that keeping children away from unrestricted social media and by extension from unrestricted smartphone use might help shield them from harmful content until they are more mature.

Zaheer’s Perspective: Parental Control over Complete Ban

While Zaheer Iqbal agreed on the importance of safeguarding children online, he urged a slightly different approach. He emphasized that total prohibition may not be the only solution. Instead, parents should take a proactive role in monitoring and controlling the content their children access on digital platforms.

Zaheer highlighted that kids often navigate freely online with just a tap, and that responsible parental supervision and the use of content filters are essential to ensure safe internet experiences.

Growing Debate on Kids and Digital Safety

The comments from the Bollywood couple come amid a broader global discussion about how social media affects children’s mental health, attention spans, sleep quality, and exposure to inappropriate content. Countries like Australia have recently taken regulatory steps to restrict social media use for minors, spurring similar conversations in other parts of the world.

In India, where smartphone and internet usage among children has rapidly increased, parents, educators, and lawmakers are debating if stronger rules including age-based limits or strict parental consent mechanisms are needed to protect youngsters. Experts often recommend a combination of education, supervision, and technological controls rather than an outright ban.

Public Reactions and Broader Implications

Sonakshi and Zaheer’s stance has drawn varied reactions from fans and commentators. Some support stricter rules, saying children are vulnerable online, while others argue that digital literacy and parental guidance are better long-term solutions than bans.

Their comments also feed into wider discussions on how modern technology intersects with childhood development, family dynamics, and public policy especially as India negotiates its own path in regulating the digital lives of its youth.