MediaNama roundtables examine age verification and social media limits for children in India

MediaNama held roundtables in Bangalore on May 15, 2026 and Delhi on July 31, 2026 on age verification and restricting social media for children in India. Conclusion: verification is easily bypassed and risks becoming an Aadhaar-linked identity layer for all users. 14 recommendations proposed, led by an age-design code instead of a ban.

• Roundtables held May 15 in Bangalore and July 31, 2026 in Delhi
• Age verification bypassed via VPN and others' accounts
• Risk: checks could become Aadhaar layer for all users
• Top of 14 recommendations: age-design code instead of ban