Parental control on apps, curbs on phones in school: Goa panel discusses social media restrictions for children

Khaunte said the government has constituted a committee to examine the growing influence of social media on children. “As far as restrictions on social media for children under 16 are concerned… though it is a central subject, we must understand the challenges, parents’ concerns and the social, cyber-security and psychological risks involved. When we are talking about [restricting] social media, we are not referring to the educational tools online… because we want children to embrace technology. We need to have a balance so that children do not get misdirected towards issues that are detrimental to their future,” he said.

The minister said that children are often introduced to mobile phones at a young age, which can eventually develop into an addiction. He said the committee discussed restricting certain aspects, such as creating reels on platforms like Instagram and the fact that many complaints have been received from parents about social media platforms.

“Goa needs to strike a balance between enabling access to educational digital tools while identifying and regulating platforms that may be detrimental to children. Australia has already done it. I think Andhra Pradesh is acting and is considering this… Recently, there was a case in Ghaziabad where three minor sisters died by suicide, driven by fascination for online Korean dramas. We are not using the term ‘stop’. We are saying ‘restrictions’… and discussing what parameters can be there,” Khaunte said.

Officials said all the stakeholders have been asked to submit their recommendations to the department, and these will be deliberated further in meetings scheduled towards the end of this month. The state will then formulate a policy document containing recommendations, expressing its intent to address this growing social challenge.

“We are taking inputs. They will be consolidated, and a final document will be prepared. Through the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, we will take these recommendations to the central government,” Khaunte said.

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

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd