Reports: AP To Ban Kids Below 16 On Social Media!

As we had reported earlier, the Australian government had recently imposed a ban on kids below 16 years from using social media platforms. The country does not allow kids under 16 to use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or anything for that matter.

Now, Andhra Pradesh is thinking about a new rule to control social media use by children under the age of 16. State IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh said the government is studying a model similar to the one recently introduced in Australia. He shared his views while attending an international event and speaking to global media.

Nara Lokesh said that young children are spending too much time on social media. He believes they are exposed to content they may not fully understand. According to him, this can affect their mental health, behavior, and learning ability. He feels that children need guidance and protection in the digital world.

Australia has passed a law that stops children under 16 from having social media accounts. The responsibility is placed on social media companies to check the age of users and follow strict rules. Andhra Pradesh wants to understand how this system works and whether it can be applied locally.

At present, the Andhra Pradesh government has not taken any final decision. This is only at the discussion and study stage. Officials are looking at legal, technical, and social challenges before moving forward.

If implemented, this could become the first such initiative by an Indian state. The government says the main goal is child safety, healthy growth, and better focus on education.