Mumbai, February 21 – Actor Kunal Kapoor has voiced support for India considering restrictions on children under 16 accessing social media, stating that the move is “pro-future” rather than “anti-technology”.
Kunal posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, where he shared a news article about how “India, with a population of 1.4 billion, is considering banning social media for children under the age of 16.”
Responding to the ongoing discussions about regulating the use of social media by minors, Kunal said that protecting young minds from algorithms designed to be addictive is crucial.
He wrote: “This is much needed. It’s not anti-tech but pro-future. We need to protect young minds from algorithms engineered to be addictive. And it also gives us a chance to build our own platforms, that are focused on growth, not just engagement,” tweeted the actor.
The Union government is reportedly considering restricting social media access for those below the age of 16, by amending the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Kunal began his career as an assistant director and made his acting debut in the 2004 film Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities, directed by MF Hussain. His breakthrough role was in Rang De Basanti (2006), starring Aamir Khan.
He has since appeared in films such as Aaja Nachle, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Don 2, Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, Dear Zindagi, Veeram, Gold.
After a brief break, Kunal received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Babur in The Empire (2021). He will next be seen in the epic Ramayan, alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi.
He will also make his Telugu debut in Vishwambhara. The film, slated to be one of the most expensive Telugu films, will see him working with Chiranjeevi. Kunal is also a trained pilot and participates in rally and formula 3 car racing.