Andhra Pradesh Government Considers Strict Online Safety Regulations for Minors
The Andhra Pradesh government is actively considering the implementation of stringent regulations aimed at preventing children under the age of 16 from accessing age-inappropriate material online. This initiative draws inspiration from similar protective measures already established in countries like Australia, as confirmed by Education Minister Nara Lokesh during a recent announcement.
Exploring Legal and Technological Solutions
Recognizing that social media regulation primarily falls under the jurisdiction of the central government, the state administration is diligently exploring various options to enhance child protection. One key approach involves the potential introduction of a special state-level law specifically designed to address this critical issue. Additionally, the government is actively engaging with major social media platforms to collaborate on developing effective technological solutions that can better safeguard young users from harmful content.
Formation of Group of Ministers to Combat Online Threats
To systematically address these concerns, a dedicated Group of Ministers (GoM) has been established, with Education Minister Nara Lokesh appointed as its chairman. This committee has been tasked with a comprehensive review of existing laws that currently regulate social media platforms within the state. The primary objective of this review is to formulate and submit robust recommendations aimed at countering the proliferation of misinformation, fake news, and abusive content that specifically targets vulnerable groups, including women and children.
Collaborative Efforts with NGOs and Union Government
In a significant move to ground their policies in empirical research, the state government has partnered with various non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These organizations are conducting in-depth studies to analyze the psychological and behavioural patterns of children below 16 years of age. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha emphasized the importance of this collaborative effort, stating that the insights gained from these studies will be crucial in shaping effective guidelines.
The GoM will utilize this analysis to prepare detailed draft guidelines, which will subsequently be shared with the Union government for further consideration. If deemed necessary based on the findings, the state government plans to formally request the Centre to introduce a special law specifically tailored to protect children from online harms, leveraging the comprehensive analysis conducted by the NGOs.
This proactive stance by the Andhra Pradesh government highlights a growing recognition of the urgent need to create a safer digital environment for the younger generation, balancing technological advancement with essential protective measures.
