Daijiworld Media Network – Vijayawada

Vijayawada, Jan 23: The Andhra Pradesh government is considering strict regulations to limit social media access for children under 16 years, Education Minister Nara Lokesh said on Thursday. The move aims to shield young students from exposure to inappropriate online content, which they may not be mature enough to process.

A Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by Lokesh, has been tasked with reviewing existing laws on social media and submitting recommendations for state-level regulations. The panel was initially formed to address online abuse against women and the spread of misinformation but has now expanded its mandate to include protection of children.

“Restricting social media use for students up to a certain age is being actively considered, following models such as Australia, which has banned access for children below 16,” Lokesh said. The GoM includes Home Minister V Anitha, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, and I&PR Minister K Parda Sarathi, who have studied both domestic laws and international best practices before arriving at this decision.

While social media regulation falls under central government jurisdiction, the AP government is exploring options for a special state-level law. In parallel, officials are also engaging with social media platforms to explore technological solutions to prevent underage access.

IT Secretary Katamaneni Bhaskar noted that instead of a blanket ban, technology-based measures could help limit usage or block access to age-inappropriate material. “A complete ban may be difficult to enforce due to the multiple ways children can access these platforms,” he added.

Home Minister Anitha further stated that the GoM is conducting a statistical study on social media cases involving children, both as victims and abusers. NGOs have also been roped in to study the psychological and behavioral patterns of children under 16 to help shape the policy.

This step reflects the state government’s intent to provide a safer online environment for children while addressing broader concerns related to misinformation, abuse, and child safety.