Goa Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s to Promote Responsible Technology Use
Goa backs social media curbs for under-16s, says will only encourage 'beneficial use of technology'
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Goa's IT minister Rohan Khaunte announced plans to ban social media for children under 16, aiming to promote beneficial technology use. This initiative follows consultations with experts and aims to support parents in managing their children's online activities while encouraging educational tools.
- 01Goa plans to ban social media for users under 16 years old.
- 02The initiative aims to support parents and promote beneficial technology use.
- 03Khaunte emphasizes the importance of educational tools over recreational social media.
- 04Other Indian states are considering similar restrictions.
- 05Current laws require parental consent for minors' access to social media.
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Goa's Information Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte announced that the state government will soon submit a proposal to ban social media use for children under 16 years old. This decision follows consultations with industry and academic experts and aims to promote the 'beneficial use of technology' among youth. Khaunte highlighted the challenges parents face in managing their children's online activities, stating that a formal policy would help them find a balance. The proposal focuses on restricting detrimental social media use while encouraging educational tools like Google. Other Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, are also considering similar age-based restrictions. Currently, there are no laws in India explicitly barring children from accessing social media, but the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act requires parental consent for processing personal data of individuals under 18, indirectly limiting minors' access to these platforms.
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This proposal could significantly affect how children in Goa engage with technology, potentially reducing exposure to harmful content online.
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