Andhra Pradesh to Ban Social Media for Children Under 13 Within 90 Days, Says Chandrababu Naidu

VoM News Desk | March 8, 2026 | 06:06 AM IST | India, Politics |
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Andhra Pradesh to Ban Social Media for Children Under 13 Within 90 Days, Says Chandrababu Naidu

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced on Friday that the government of Andhra Pradesh plans to prohibit children under the age of 13 from using social media platforms within the next 90 days.

Speaking in the state assembly, Naidu said the government is also considering whether the restriction should be extended to teenagers between 13 and 16 years old. Officials are currently debating the scope of the proposal before taking a final decision.

“Definitely, we will make sure that within 90 days those below 13 years of age are not able to use social media,” the chief minister said during the session.

He added that the administration will soon decide whether similar restrictions should apply to the 13–16 age group as well.

During his address, Naidu also referred to the controversy surrounding the alleged adulteration of ghee used in the famous Tirupati laddu.

The laddus are offered as sacred prasad at the revered Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati and are sought by millions of devotees every year.

“Venkateswara Swamy laddu was desecrated. This is not an ordinary crime. It was a deliberate conspiracy,” Naidu told the assembly.

The chief minister had earlier raised the issue during a legislative meeting of the ruling alliance in 2024. At that time, he accused the previous government led by the YSR Congress Party of allowing substandard ingredients and even animal fats to be used in the preparation of the laddus.

According to Naidu, the alleged irregularities amounted to disrespect toward one of the country’s most revered temples.

Naidu also criticised former chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of showing little remorse over the controversy.

“That party doesn’t seem to have realised the seriousness of the issue, and there was no answer when Sri Venkateswara Swamy was allegedly desecrated,” Naidu said.

He stressed that a functioning democracy must respect the customs and traditions associated with religious institutions.

Despite the controversy surrounding the temple, Naidu noted that religious tourism in the state has continued to grow.

According to him, temples across Andhra Pradesh have seen a sharp rise in visitor numbers, with footfall increasing by as much as 70 percent in recent months.

The chief minister said the government would continue to focus on strengthening religious tourism while ensuring the sanctity and traditions of major temples are preserved.

VoM News Desk

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