Maharashtra Government Constitutes Expert Task Force to Study Social Media's Impact on Children
The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step by constituting a 13-member expert task force to comprehensively study the impact of social media on children below 18 years of age. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns highlighted by Union finance ministry survey data and findings from the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), which indicate a rise in mental health disorders among minors.
Background and Rationale for the Study
The decision to commission this study was prompted by serious concerns raised in the central government's economic survey regarding the increasing social media exposure of minors and its potential health implications. Maharashtra is home to approximately four crore children under 18, many of whom may be facing mental health challenges based on IPS findings. The state government aims to address these issues through evidence-based policy measures.
Comprehensive Terms of Reference
The task force has been assigned extensive responsibilities to ensure a thorough examination of social media's effects on young people. Their mandate includes:
- Studying the nature and extent of social media use among minors across different demographics
- Examining effects on mental and physical health, education outcomes, and social skill development
- Analyzing the role of digital advertising specifically targeting children
- Investigating rural-urban differences and variations across gender and income groups
- Reviewing existing national and international regulatory models for digital platforms
Task Force Composition and Leadership
The panel will be chaired by the additional chief secretary or principal secretary of the school education and sports department, with the women and child development department secretary serving as co-chairperson. The diverse membership includes:
- Senior secretaries from public health, information technology, law and justice, and home departments
- The associate dean of commerce and management at Mumbai University
- The principal of Bombay Scottish School, Mumbai
- A Marathi-medium school principal
- A representative from a prominent non-governmental organization in the field
- A representative from the Indian Psychiatric Society
- A social media platform representative (to be invited)
The director of the IT directorate will serve as member secretary, and the chairperson retains authority to invite additional experts as needed for specialized insights.
Research Methodology and Timeline
The task force will employ a multi-faceted research approach combining desk research with grassroots field visits to gather comprehensive data. Administrative support will be provided by the information technology department to facilitate their work. The panel has been given a strict timeline of three months from its constitution to submit a detailed report with actionable recommendations.
Expected Outcomes and Policy Framework
The task force is expected to propose a comprehensive policy framework for Maharashtra that addresses the challenges posed by social media while preserving educational benefits and digital empowerment opportunities. The state government has committed to making decisions that ensure children's safety without compromising positive technology use. The recommendations will likely include legal, administrative, and technical measures tailored to Maharashtra's specific needs and demographic realities.
This initiative represents one of the most comprehensive state-level efforts in India to systematically address the complex relationship between social media exposure and child development, with potential implications for digital policy nationwide.
