Maharashtra IT Minister Directs Formation of Taskforce for Social Media Age Restrictions for Children
In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the well-being of young citizens, Maharashtra's Information Technology Minister, Ashish Shelar, has issued directives to establish a specialized taskforce. This body will be responsible for formulating recommendations to implement age-based limitations on social media usage specifically for children across the state.
Addressing a Critical Issue for Maharashtra's Youth
Minister Shelar emphasized the urgency of this initiative by referencing the latest Economic Survey data. He highlighted that this is a matter of paramount importance for Maharashtra, directly impacting the holistic mental and physical development of approximately 4 crore children who are below the age of 18 years within the state. Notably, out of this substantial figure, nearly 3 crore children fall under the age bracket of 15 years, making them particularly vulnerable to the potential adverse effects of unregulated social media exposure.
Composition of the Expert Taskforce
To ensure a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, the IT minister has instructed that the taskforce must include a diverse panel of experts. The composition is directed to encompass:
- Educationists and academic professionals
- Psychiatrists and mental health specialists
- Child counsellors and developmental experts
- Technology experts and digital safety analysts
- Representatives from major social media platforms
- Management and policy experts
- Medical doctors and healthcare professionals
- Legal experts and jurists
- Relevant government officials
Broad Mandate and Key Focus Areas
The taskforce has been entrusted with a wide-ranging mandate to examine various critical dimensions of social media usage among children. Key areas of focus include:
- Child Protection and Online Safety: Developing frameworks to shield children from online risks and harmful content.
- Mental Health Implications: Studying the impact of social media on psychological well-being, including issues like anxiety, depression, and self-esteem.
- Balanced Digital Usage: Promoting healthy screen time habits and preventing digital addiction.
- Comprehensive Analysis: Evaluating both the potential benefits and the negative consequences of social media engagement for young users.
- Gender-Specific Considerations: Addressing how social media affects boys and girls differently and tailoring recommendations accordingly.
- Rural-Urban Dynamics: Understanding the varying access patterns and impacts across different geographical and socio-economic settings within Maharashtra.
- Inclusive Framework: Ensuring the recommendations cover children from all income levels and backgrounds.
- Global and National Benchmarks: Studying existing frameworks and best practices from both international and domestic contexts to inform evidence-based policy.
This initiative underscores the Maharashtra government's proactive stance in addressing the digital challenges faced by its youngest citizens, aiming to create a safer and more regulated online environment that supports healthy development.
