Social media is giving children the same kind of addictive kicks as drugs: Nishikant Dubey | India News

in conversation with TOI’s Manash Gohain BJP MP and Chairperson of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, Nishikanta Dubey Talks about digital addiction, AI risks, fake news, cyber fraud, exam stress, online gaming, deepfakes and why India may need stronger digital safeguards for children and youth. Excerpt:Your committee has spoken KYC Verification, age restrictions and AI regulations. Why did the committee find these recommendations necessary?As we traveled across constituencies and interacted with people, one thing became very clear – uncontrolled digital exposure is becoming dangerous, especially for children and teenagers. See online gaming. Children are secretly using parents’ bank accounts, losing huge sums of money and in some cases families have been pushed to the point of extreme misery and even suicide. AI-generated ads and manipulative digital content are making these platforms more addictive and difficult to control. At the same time, the laws of India were enacted in a very different era. When the Press Council Act or the Cable TV Act were enacted, no one could have imagined today’s digital ecosystem where anyone can run YouTube channels, Facebook channels or digital platforms without accountability. A newspaper in print faces restrictions, but the same content online often escapes institutional oversight. The committee felt there had to be some line somewhere. Countries around the world, including Australia, Singapore and parts of Europe, are already discussing or implementing age-based restrictions for children online. Another concern was how AI is beginning to blur the line between truth and fiction. I have personally encountered a situation where fake material created through digital platforms has mixed into a genuine discussion and compromised the credibility of the entire conversation. Today, even courts are facing concerns about AI-generated fake references and fabricated verdicts. The Chief Justice of India himself has repeatedly warned against blind reliance on AI tools in legal work. So naturally the concern becomes greater for children and students. India’s greatest strength is its youth population. If future generations are pushed away from reading, research and critical thinking, it will ultimately affect innovation, productivity and the country’s long-term growth ambitions. You used an interesting comparison – social media is like a drug. why are you sayingBecause it works like an addiction. Social media provides a constant psychological “kick”. After some time, children lose interest in studies, books, research and even normal human interaction. I’m not saying children should be completely cut off from technology. Useful for phone library, online classes and learning. But social media is a different matter. Detox classes are being conducted worldwide today to teach people how to get off their phones. This problem is no longer limited to children – even adults and the elderly are addicted. Just as countries impose age limits for alcohol or clubs, the world is beginning to realize that unrestricted social media exposure for minors also carries serious consequences. Across the world, there are now growing concerns about screen dependence, shrinking attention spans and digital fatigue. Is artificial intelligence making misinformation and fake news worse?absolutely AI is making fake content terrifyingly believable. Recently, even courts faced situations where fake AI-generated legal references appeared in filings. Deepfakes can ruin a reputation overnight. Fake screenshots, fake newspaper clippings and fake videos spread faster than the truth. The danger is not just political misinformation. It affects students, women, financial system and public trust. Our parliamentary committee recommended stronger safeguards, AI literacy and structural regulation as India cannot afford to keep these issues completely open. The problem is that technology is advancing much faster than social awareness and legal protections. That gap is becoming dangerous. Are you concerned that AI tools may undermine students’ learning habits?yes Earlier, student-researchers had to read books, verify facts and devote time to studying topics in depth. Many people now rely on AI tools for instant answers. The concern is not about the technology itself. The concern is whether future generations stop developing critical thinking, research habits and patience. You can’t build a knowledge economy just by taking shortcuts. Students still need curiosity, discipline and the ability to analyze information independently. India’s demographic dividend can become India’s greatest strength, but only if you are productive, efficient and mentally focused. Students today face a lot of pressure due to fake paper leaks and rumours Telegram and social media. How serious is it?very serious Many fake question papers are circulated weeks before the exam. Students panic, families pay up, stress levels rise – and often papers are forged. It has become an organized ecosystem. Social media rumors can make millions of students emotionally unstable within hours. We have seen how fake answer keys, manipulated screenshots and fabricated leak claims spread rapidly during competitive exams. Even when the question papers are not leaked, the rumors alone create fear and anxiety among students. That is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s exam pay discussion initiative is important. Students must learn not to fall into the trap of rumors or the cycle of digital panic. The bigger challenge is that fake information spreads much faster than official explanations. Which creates stress on the students. Which categories are most vulnerable to the dark side of social media?Women, children and economically weaker users are the worst victims. Fake videos, morphing, blackmail, pornography and cyber harassment can destroy lives. Even a fake clip that goes viral for a few hours can permanently damage one’s reputation and mental health. Children are also exposed to disturbing content very early. Without protection measures, the psychological impact can be severe. That’s why digital security can no longer be considered just a technical issue – it’s also a social and mental health issue. The most damaging effects of unregulated digital platforms are often seen among those who are least equipped to protect themselves. Your committee has also pushed for KYC verification. Is it related to cyber security?yes India is witnessing rampant cyber fraud through mule accounts and fake digital identities. Thousands of crores of rupees are being smuggled. Technology is advancing rapidly, but protection is not keeping pace. Earlier, opening a bank account involved community verification and accountability. Today, anonymity online has become extremely easy. We are not against technology. We are asking: How can we make technology safer for society? If strong verification systems are not put in place, cyber fraud, financial scams and identity theft will continue to increase. Do existing laws adequately protect citizens online?There are serious gaps. Social media has evolved much faster than the legal system. Stronger legal accountability may eventually become necessary in cases involving fake news, cyber fraud, child protection threats and national security concerns. Without deterrence and fear of punishment, organized digital abuse will continue to grow. There is also debate as to whether certain legal provisions have been weakened following court rulings in the context of new-age digital threats. The challenge is to strike a balance between freedom of expression and protection of citizens. What should schools do immediately?Digital literacy and AI literacy should start early. Parliamentary committee recommended AI education from KG to PG. Children must learn to:

Technology is like nuclear power. It can cure cancer or destroy cities. Social media and AI are similar – they can strengthen or harm society. The challenge is balance. The focus should not only be on limiting technology, but teaching children how to use it responsibly. Are you hoping that India will bring strong social media rules soon?Discussions are ongoing with ministries, states, platforms and stakeholders. Governments are actively examining concerns about child safety, AI-generated harm and misinformation. But I don’t believe in bans or bans only. The real goal should be the controlled, responsible and safe use of technology. The benefits of AI and social media are immense. But where the negative impact is strongest – on children, students, women and vulnerable sections – society and government must act with safeguards. The objective should be balance: encouraging innovation and digital growth, protecting society from addiction, manipulation, fraud and emotional harm.