Goa likely to bar children under 16 from social media; IT dept studies Australia law

Goa’s deliberations come days after Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh said the TDP-led state government is also considering an Australia-like ban on social media for children under 16.

• Goa may ban social media for kids under 16, following Australia's example.
• IT department to study Australia's law, consult chief minister.
• Andhra Pradesh is also exploring a similar social media ban for minors.

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The Goa government is examining the feasibility of introducing an Australia-style law to ban social media use for children below the age of 16, citing growing concerns from parents over excessive screen time and its social impact.

Tourism and Information Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte said the proposal is under active consideration, with the state’s IT department already studying policy documents related to Australia’s recently enacted law.

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

Referring to Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, the minister said Goa is assessing whether a similar framework can be legally and practically implemented at the state level.

"Australia has brought in a law ensuring a ban on social media for children below 16. Our IT department has pulled out the relevant papers and is studying them. We will discuss this with the chief minister, and if possible, implement a similar ban. The details will follow," he noted.

Khaunte further added that consultations will be held with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant before any final decision is taken, possibly ahead of the next Assembly session. The minister said excessive social media use is affecting children’s focus, behaviour, and family interactions.

"Children today are constantly on their mobile phones, at the dining table, while watching television, even during family time. Social media has occupied a very large personal space, creating complexities for them," he said.

"In the age of artificial intelligence, we want children to be more focused on education and technology linked to learning so they can grow into responsible citizens and contribute to the future of the state and the country," Khaunte added.

According to a statement issued by the Goa Tourism and IT Ministry, the proposal came as a result of the steady rise in parental complaints over the years regarding the impact of social media on children.

The minister, however, cautioned that it remains unclear whether a state-wide ban is legally viable. "We are studying whether such a ban is possible. If it is, we would want to do it in the interest of the next generation," he said.

Andhra Pradesh weighing a similar move

Goa’s deliberations come days after Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh said the TDP-led state government is also considering an Australia-like ban on social media for children under 16.

Lokesh said a Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by him, has been constituted to study the proposal and examine its legal, technical, and social implications.

Australia’s law requires social media platforms to take "reasonable" steps to identify and deactivate accounts operated by users under 16 and prevent minors from creating new accounts. The legislation has reportedly led to the removal or restriction of millions of accounts across platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and YouTube, while exempting messaging apps, gaming platforms, and educational tools.