Goa Plans Social Media Ban for Kids Below 16 Inspired by Australia

Goa's Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Rohan Khaunte, announced that the state is actively studying Australia's groundbreaking legislation to implement similar restrictions on minors' social media usage. Speaking to reporters this week, Khaunte stated, "If possible, (we will) implement a similar ban on children below 16 for usage of social media. Details will follow." This move addresses escalating worries about the adverse impacts of platforms like Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Google's YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) on young minds, including addiction, cyberbullying, anxiety, depression, and exposure to harmful content.

India, with over 1.1 billion internet users as of 2025—making it one of the world's largest digital markets—lacks a national framework regulating minors' access to social media. Estimates suggest millions of users under 18 actively engage on these platforms, often bypassing age gates through lax verification. Goa's initiative could set a precedent, potentially influencing federal policy from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which has not yet commented on the proposal. Major tech firms like Meta, Google, and X also remained silent on requests for response.

Australia led the charge last year as the first nation to enact a nationwide ban on social media for those under 16, enforced via age-verification technology and hefty fines up to AUD 50 million for non-compliant platforms. The law's first month saw the deactivation of 4.7 million teen accounts, with early data indicating reduced screen time and improved mental health metrics among youth. Countries like France, Indonesia, and Malaysia are closely monitoring the rollout, considering adaptations to their contexts—France already imposes parental consent rules, while Indonesia focuses on content moderation.

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Closer to home, Andhra Pradesh—a state with over 53 million residents—has formed a high-level panel of senior ministers to review global models and submit recommendations within a month. This panel draws inspiration from Australia's success and other international efforts, signaling a growing pan-India push for child online safety. Critics, however, raise concerns over enforcement challenges, privacy implications of age verification (such as biometric scans or ID checks), and potential stifling of positive digital education tools.

Goa's proposal aligns with broader global trends, including the EU's Digital Services Act and the U.S. Kids Online Safety Act, which prioritize child welfare. As details emerge, this could spark a nationwide debate on balancing technological freedom with protecting the next generation from digital pitfalls.

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