‘Facebook and Instagram… of no use if you are under 16’: What Goa’s social media curbs could look like

At an earlier meeting held last month to discuss concerns regarding the impact of social media on children and regulatory safeguards for child safety, the committee flagged issues concerning rising digital dependency, reduced attention spans, cyberbullying and access to inappropriate online content among children.

“[Regarding] restrictions on usage of social media for children under 16, I am saying restriction, not a ban. This was discussed at this forum with the industry and academia. The document, too, is ready… When we say restriction on usage of social media, we are talking about what is detrimental [for children], what does not help them to think. And maybe, social media tools like Facebook and Instagram… which are of no use if you are under 16… I am giving an example… we wish to restrict,” Khaunte said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“At the same time, we will see how we can promote educational tools like Google, where children can spend that same time learning more things, which is good for the youth and the future of the country,” he said.

The minister said that some other states, like Andhra Pradesh, have also been considering enacting a law to ban social media for children under 16 and discussions on the issue are taking place in other states as well.

“After speaking to the Chief Minister, we will present the document to [Union Electronics and IT Minister] Ashwini Vaishnaw. The IT Act is in place. We will request certain amendments, which will become beneficial for all states. At the end of the day, it’s a central subject, but we want to make our intentions clear for the benefit of students and the youth. The initiative of the IT department is to constructively move to look at restricting social media for youth below 16 years. It is becoming a challenge for the parents, too,” Khaunte added.

Earlier in January, Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh said the Telugu Desam Party-led government was considering bringing in an Australia-like law banning social media for children under the age of 16, and that a Group of Ministers headed by him has been set up to study the proposal.

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

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