MediaNama has announced a roundtable discussion in Bengaluru on May 15 to deliberate on child online safety, age verification systems and proposed restrictions on social media access for children.
The event is expected to bring together policy experts, technology professionals, researchers, legal specialists and digital rights advocates to discuss growing concerns around children’s online experiences and internet safety regulations.
Focus on age verification and online protection
The roundtable will reportedly examine global and Indian policy approaches related to verifying user age on digital platforms and protecting minors from harmful online content.
Discussions are also expected to cover proposals involving restrictions or bans on social media usage for children, a subject that has increasingly gained attention worldwide.
Experts are likely to debate the balance between child protection, digital privacy, parental responsibility and freedom of access in online spaces.
Growing concern over children’s digital exposure
The event comes amid rising global discussions about the impact of excessive social media use on children’s mental health, attention spans and online safety.
Governments and technology regulators in several countries have recently explored stricter rules around child access to social media platforms, online advertising and digital content moderation.
In India too, conversations around child safety online have intensified alongside growing smartphone and internet penetration among younger users.
Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem part of policy discussions
As India’s technology capital, Bengaluru frequently hosts discussions on digital governance, AI regulation, privacy and internet policy involving startups, researchers and policymakers.
Industry observers say the city’s strong technology ecosystem makes it an important centre for debates surrounding responsible digital innovation and online regulation.
The roundtable is expected to encourage dialogue between stakeholders from the technology industry, civil society and policy sectors.
Digital safety remains key issue
Experts believe discussions around age verification and child protection will continue to shape future internet regulations in India and globally.
The Bengaluru event is likely to contribute to broader conversations on how technology platforms can create safer online environments for children while preserving digital rights and accessibility