Goa Explores Social Media Ban for Minors Under 16, Inspired by Australian Model
In a significant move that could reshape digital access for young Indians, the state of Goa is reportedly planning to implement a ban on social media usage for children under the age of 16. This initiative draws inspiration from similar measures recently enacted in Australia, as concerns over mental health risks escalate in a nation boasting over a billion internet users. According to a Reuters report, Goa authorities are actively studying Australian legislation to determine effective strategies for regulating minors' access to popular social media platforms.
Official Statement and Implementation Challenges
Rohan Khaunte, Goa's Minister of Information Technology, confirmed the state's intentions in a statement to Reuters this week. He remarked, "If possible, (we will) implement a similar ban on children below 16 for usage of social media. Details will follow." This announcement has sparked widespread speculation regarding the practical aspects of enforcing such a ban, including verification mechanisms and parental oversight requirements.
India's Current Social Media Landscape and Broader State Initiatives
India represents one of the largest markets for global tech giants such as Meta, Google's YouTube, and X, with a substantial user base under the age of 18. Despite this, the country has not imposed any national restrictions on social media access for minors, and there are no indications that the federal government intends to do so in the near future. Beyond Goa, the state of Andhra Pradesh, with a population exceeding 53 million, has also expressed interest in exploring comparable regulatory measures. In contrast, Goa is India's smallest state by area, with an estimated population of over 1.5 million, highlighting the diverse approaches emerging at the state level.
The Indian Ministry of Information Technology has yet to respond to Reuters' request for comment on these developments. Similarly, Google and X did not immediately provide statements regarding the proposed ban.
Meta's Response and Industry Perspectives
In response to the growing speculation, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, issued a statement emphasizing its support for laws that require parental oversight. However, the company cautioned that "governments considering bans should be careful not to push teens toward less safe, unregulated sites." A Meta spokesperson elaborated in an email to Reuters, noting, "We'll comply with social media bans, but with teens using approximately 40 apps weekly, targeting a handful of companies won't keep them safe." This perspective underscores the complexities of regulating a fragmented digital ecosystem.
Global Context and Andhra Pradesh's Parallel Efforts
The report further highlighted that Andhra Pradesh has established a panel of senior ministers tasked with studying global regulatory efforts and making recommendations within a month. This move aligns with international trends, as countries like France, Indonesia, and Malaysia are closely monitoring Australia's implementation of a social media ban for children under 16. Australia's ban, enacted last year, led to the deactivation of 4.7 million teen accounts in its first month, demonstrating the potential scale of such measures.
As India navigates the balance between digital innovation and youth protection, the initiatives in Goa and Andhra Pradesh signal a growing recognition of the need for tailored regulatory frameworks. The outcomes of these state-level explorations could influence broader national policies in the future, shaping how India addresses the intersection of technology, mental health, and child safety in the digital age.
