After Andhra Pradesh, Goa Considers Australia-Like Ban On Social Media For Children Under 16

The Goa government is considering the possibility of implementing an Australia-like law banning social media for children below the age of 16. According to Tourism and Information Technology (IT) Minister

Rohan Khaunte, the matter is under consideration.

“We have had a lot of complaints from parents. Social media and some of these platforms are becoming a distraction for the children, leading to a lot of social implications”, he said, while speaking to the media on Sunday.

“Australia has brought in a law ensuring a ban on social media for children below the age of 16. It is something they have already done. Our [IT] department, our people have already pulled out those particular papers. We are studying them. We will talk to the chief minister, and if possible, implement a similar ban on children below 16 for the usage of social media. The details will follow”, he added.

The minister further highlighted that the state’s IT department has already examined the relevant policy papers from Australia, adding that an engagement will be held with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant before a conclusion is made.

“In the world of Artificial Intelligence, we need children to be more focused so they can grow into good citizens and take care of the future of the state and the country,” Khaunte stated.

The minister also highlighted the concerns raised by parents, stating that children are glued to mobile phones and social media, even during family time, which in turn is creating complexities for them.

“The personal space occupied by social media has become very large and is creating complexities for children. We are studying whether a state-wide ban is legally and practically possible,” he said.

As per a statement by Goa Tourism and the IT Ministry, the move was initiated due to a rising number of complaints from parents over the years.

Andhra Considering Australia-Like Ban

The development also comes days after Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh stated that the government was considering an Australia-like ban on social media for children below the age of 16. He added that a group of ministers had been set up to study and analyse the possibilities of implementing the proposal.

Under Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, social media platforms are required to take “reasonable” steps to identify and deactivate accounts operated by users under 16 and to prevent new account creation by minors.

So far, the law has led to the removal of millions of accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch.

Messaging apps, gaming, and educational tools are currently exempt.