Parental Consent Crucial To Curb Online Risks For Children, Say Experts On New Data Rules

Parental consent is at the centre of the government's draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, which aim to address growing concerns about children's online safety. The rules require parents to verify their child's identity before accessing digital platforms, a move experts believe could curb cyber risks and protect children's mental health.

Harpreet Suri, a parent and influencer, stressed the need for such measures, noting that teenagers often fail to understand the risks online. "I know what is real and what is reel, but a teenager doesn't understand that. They want to try everything," she told NDTV Profit in a panel discussion, welcoming the government's move to require parental consent.

Lakshmi V, founder of SNEHA Suicide Prevention Centre, highlighted the harmful effects of excessive screen time, such as changes in brain structure and emotional well-being. "Every 1-hour increase in looking at social media causes significant emotional and cognitive changes," she warned, adding that parental consent could help limit the mental health risks.

She also pointed to alarming statistics: one-third of children experience cyberbullying, and another third suffer from suicidal thoughts due to online pressures. "Social media is also linked to issues like body shaming and the creation of false avatars, which can have long-term psychological effects," she said.

Cyberlawyer Karnnika A Seth expressed concerns over the practical challenges of age verification. “What happens if a child lies about their age?” she questioned, pointing out that while filters can help restrict content, verifying a parent's identity could be more complex.

Psychologist Aarti C Rajaratnam also weighed in, emphasising the developmental risks of screen-based distractions. "Every time a child cries, a screen is used to distract them instead of bonding with the parent, which is critical for their growth," she said, adding that excessive screen time replaces important activities like imaginative play and is leading to what researchers are calling 'virtual autism.'. 

She also warned that children are increasingly exposed to false personas on social media, further distorting their sense of identity and emotional development.