Lok Sabha Question No. 5904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Regulation of Unsupervised Digital and Social Media Usage
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5904

ANSWERED ON 30/03/2026

## Regulation of Unsupervised Digital and Social Media Usage

5904. Shri Selvaganapathi T.M.:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that as many as 88 per cent of school leaders, educators and parents who responded to questionnaires from the National Council of CBSE Schools have expressed strong support  for  introducing  national  guidelines  to  regulate  unsupervised  digital  and  social  media usage among children below 18 years old, if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  it  is  also  a  fact  that  the  Government  is  considering  formulating  a  structured,  age oriented regulatory framework for school students and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is fact that the feedback report based on 6.3 lakh responses received by the national council through its State councils has been submitted to the Government; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government on the above responses?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Education has undertaken comprehensive interventions to address screen  time  management  through  its  constituent  bodies  and  affiliated  organisations.  The Ministry of Education, Government of India, introduced the PRAGYATA Guidelines on July 14, 2020, which aims to ensure the safety and academic welfare of students by recommending age-appropriate  screen  time  limits.  For  pre-primary  students,  screen  time  is  limited  to  30 minutes per day, primarily for interactions with parents. Students in Classes 1 to 8 are advised to have no more than two online sessions of 30-45 minutes each per day. For Classes 9 to 12, up  to  four  sessions  of  30-45  minutes  each  per  day  are  recommended.  The  guidelines  also emphasise the importance of parental involvement in monitoring children's physical and mental well-being, promoting open communication about internet use and balancing online activities with offline play and physical exercise.

CBSE,  within  its  mandate  as  a  national  school  education  Board,  has  issued  guidelines  and advisories and has undertaken several proactive initiatives to promote safe, balanced and ageappropriate  use  of  digital  and  social  media  among  school  students,  particularly  in  view  of concerns regarding excessive digital engagement. These measures address the physical, mental, academic  and  social  well-being  of  students  and  reflect  the  feedback  and  evolving  needs  of stakeholders.  Key  initiatives  include  the  implementation  of  the  PRAGYATA  Guidelines (2020).

CBSE has also issued guidelines and advisories from time to time to regulate mobile phone usage  within  school  premises,  discouraging  unnecessary  use  (Circular  02/2009),  along  with circulars on digital safety  and cyber hygiene to sensitise schools about cyberbullying, online risks and responsible digital behaviour (Circular No. Acad-32/2017). In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and NCERT, the Cyber Safety Handbook (2020) has been disseminated for  students,  teachers  and  parents,  covering  digital  etiquette,  online  safety  and  wellbeing. Further, capacity-building programmes and training for teachers and school leaders, including collaborations  with  CDAC  (Circular  No.  TRG-51/2024),  focus  on  cyber  wellness  and responsible use of technology.

In addition, awareness initiatives such as Cyber Jagrookta Diwas, the establishment of Cyber Clubs in schools and the introduction of Digital Etiquette Guidelines aim to foster responsible digital  habits.  There  is  also  a  continued  emphasis  on  students'  mental  well-being  through activities  promoting  social  interaction  and  physical  engagement.  These  efforts  collectively contribute towards developing a structured and age-sensitive approach to digital usage among school students.

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