A.P. govt. plans curbs on social media use by children

Andhra Pradesh government plans to implement social media restrictions for children, focusing on age verification and digital safety education.

The Andhra Pradesh government is preparing a comprehensive regulatory framework to safeguard children in the digital space, focusing on restricting social media access for those below 13 years and creating age-appropriate online environments for teenagers. The initiative is being led by Education, IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh, who chaired a high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting with officials and representatives from major social media platforms, on Thursday.

A key proposal under consideration is an ‘age-based access system’, particularly for users aged 13–16, to limit exposure to harmful or inappropriate content. The Minister said the framework should draw from global best practices in countries like Singapore, Australia and Denmark, ensuring alignment with international standards while adapting to India’s context.

To enforce these regulations, Mr. Lokesh said the government was exploring innovative “age-verification mechanisms”, including “age tokens” linked with DigiLocker. This approach aims to verify users’ age securely without compromising privacy.

The policy also emphasises “strict action against online abuse”, especially targeting women. Strengthening enforcement under the Information Technology Act, 2000 is a priority, with plans to appoint adjudicating authorities and ensure timely action against violators, he said.

Recognising that regulation alone is insufficient, he said the State will implement “large-scale awareness campaigns”. These include digital safety education in schools during “No Bag Day,” sessions for parents and students during Mega PTMs, and outreach programmes for women through Self-Help Groups. The goal is to improve digital literacy and promote safe online behaviour.

Representatives from major social media platforms briefed the GoM on existing safeguards for restricting sensitive content and handling user complaints. They expressed willingness to collaborate closely with the Andhra Pradesh government in implementing these measures.