Goa, one of India’s top tourist destinations, is exploring a ban on social media for children, following Australia’s recent restrictions.
The move comes amid rising concerns about the impact of social media on mental health in a country with over a billion internet users, including a significant number under 18.
Currently, India has no nationwide limits on social media usage for minors, and the central government has not announced any plans to regulate it.
What Goa Is Planning
Goa’s Infotech Minister, Rohan Khaunte, said the state is studying Australia’s law to understand how minors’ access to social media could be regulated.
He stated:
“If possible, we will implement a similar ban on children below 16 for usage of social media.”
Further details are expected to be announced soon.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is also exploring similar measures to restrict social media access for minors.
Industry Reactions and Global Context
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, expressed support for parental oversight laws but warned that blanket bans could push teens toward less safe, unregulated platforms.
A spokesperson noted that teenagers often use around 40 apps weekly, so targeting only a few may not fully protect them.
Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16, deactivating 4.7 million teenage accounts in its first month.
Countries like France, Indonesia, and Malaysia are also observing Australia’s move and may introduce similar regulations.
Goa, India’s smallest state with just over 1.5 million people, could become the first state in India to implement such restrictions, setting a precedent for other regions.
