Indians overwhelmingly want social media banned for children under 14, yet they largely oppose banning AI tools in schools, according to the Ipsos Education Monitor 2026. The survey of 23,537 adults across 31 countries found 78% support a social media ban for under-14s, while 61% oppose banning AI tools such as ChatGPT in classrooms. Only 26% support an AI ban.
The results show Indians are not taking an anti-technology position. They appear to be separating technology they see as distracting from technology they believe can improve learning and future employability. Smartphones fall closer to social media in this equation: 57% support banning smartphones in schools, compared with just 26% who believe AI should be banned.
Confidence in education runs high
The survey also highlights India's unusually strong confidence in its education system. 51% of Indians rate the country's overall education system as good, compared with a global average of 33%. The belief in higher education is even stronger: 78% say a college or university degree helps people progress in their careers, while 75% consider a degree important to succeeding in life. For 70%, a degree represents good value for money.
The education system is also seen as having a wider social role. 72% believe it helps reduce social inequality, while 67% say the school curriculum adequately prepares students for future careers.
Optimism about young people, with a contradiction
India is the most optimistic market in the survey when it comes to young people's prospects. 72% of Indians believe young people in the country have a bright future, the highest level recorded across the 31 markets surveyed. Another 75% believe today's young people will have a better life than their parents. Even among young people from poorer backgrounds, 64% believe the future is bright.
But there is a contradiction. Despite this optimism, 76% believe young people would have better opportunities by moving abroad. The finding reflects a growing tension between confidence in India's younger generation and the perception that global mobility can open up better career and economic opportunities.
Education-to-jobs gap is the biggest concern
For Indians, the biggest problem facing young people is not a lack of faith in education. It is whether education is keeping pace with the jobs market. 36% identify the mismatch between education and labour-market requirements as the biggest challenge facing young people. Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are cited by 30%, the same proportion that points to poverty and inequality.
Other concerns include poor-quality education at 29%, the effects of social media and technology, including AI, at 26%, and India's economy at 25%. The numbers suggest employability has become central to the education conversation.
AI gets a different reception
The gap between attitudes towards social media and AI is striking. While 78% support a social media ban for under-14s, almost two-thirds - 61% - do not want AI banned from schools. That puts AI in a different category for Indian respondents. The technology may raise questions around academic integrity, but the survey indicates most respondents see a role for it in education rather than wanting it kept outside the classroom.
Suresh Ramalingam, CEO of Ipsos India, said the findings reflect both optimism and higher expectations from India's education system. "Indians continue to see education as a route to opportunity and social mobility, but increasingly want it to keep pace with labour-market requirements and prepare young people for the future."
For educators, the takeaway is clear: the public is ready for AI in classrooms, but expects it to serve employability, not replace foundational learning. The survey suggests teachers who integrate AI tools into lessons on critical thinking, research, and career preparation will be aligned with public sentiment. The same cannot be said for social media, which parents and the public broadly want kept out of children's lives. For those working in education, this means building AI literacy into teaching practice while maintaining clear boundaries around distraction-heavy platforms. Resources like AI for Teachers and broader AI for Education content can help educators navigate this shift.
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