In a powerful intervention during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, esteemed Rajya Sabha MP and celebrated author Sudha Murty has sounded an alarm over a modern-day parenting trend. She has called for urgent measures to protect children from being turned into content for social media platforms.
The Core Concern: Childhood as Content
Murty highlighted a disturbing pattern where parents are increasingly using their children to create online content. From elaborate costume videos and dance reels to scripted funny skits, these posts often go viral. While they may appear innocent and adorable on the surface, Sudha Murty believes the long-term consequences are being dangerously overlooked.
The issue, according to the MP, escalates when the intent shifts from sharing personal memories with family to actively seeking followers, fame, or monetary gain. In this scenario, children have no agency. They cannot consent to having their images and moments broadcast to millions of strangers, who may comment, judge, or share the content without any control.
Existing Protections vs. The Social Media Void
Drawing a sharp contrast, Sudha Murty pointed out that India already has stringent regulations governing child participation in films and television advertisements. These rules stipulate working hour limits, mandate safety measures, and have clear guidelines to prevent exploitation.
She posed a critical question: If such safeguards are deemed necessary for traditional media, why should social media, which has a far wider and faster reach, operate without similar protections? The internet's pervasive nature makes the potential for harm and loss of privacy significantly greater.
A Call for Government Guidelines and a Return to Core Values
Murty's suggestion was straightforward yet impactful. She urged the government to formulate and enforce clear norms for how minors are portrayed on digital platforms. These could include:
- Restrictions on inappropriate costumes or dance movements.
- Guidelines to prevent commercial exploitation of children.
- Measures to ensure kids are not pushed into becoming influencers before they can understand the implications.
Beyond rules, the author-emphasized a deeper philosophical shift. Childhood should be about play, education, building real friendships, and holistic emotional growth, not about chasing trends, algorithms, and 'likes'. She warned that when a child's self-worth becomes tied to public validation online, it can severely impact their mental and emotional development.
As social media becomes inextricably woven into the fabric of Indian society, Sudha Murty's appeal is poised to spark a vital national debate. It forces parents and policymakers alike to confront a pressing dilemma: how to balance the joy of sharing with the fundamental duty of safeguarding a child's right to privacy, safety, and a pressure-free childhood.
