Now Reading: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh propose social media ban for minors
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Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh propose social media ban for minors
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have become the first Indian states to propose a social media ban for minors, reports New Indian Express. The move follows a study in Nature that found lower…
The Story in Brief
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have become the first Indian states to propose a social media ban for minors, reports New Indian Express. The move follows a study in Nature that found lower high-school scores among children who used social media in middle school, based on 5,227 students in northern Italy aged 7-16. Experts quoted by NDTV support the idea of restrictions but warn against outright bans. They urge digital literacy and healthy online habits instead, pointing out social media’s role in career growth and emotional development. Policy makers, they say, must avoid blunt instruments like those used in Australia, Malaysia and France.
The Indian Opinion
The idea of banning social media for children sounds decisive, but the debate risks becoming a moral panic. A Nature study from Italy does not automatically apply to Indian classrooms. States are rushing to copy Australia’s blunt law without examining local data. Digital literacy and parental engagement are harder to legislate, but they address the real problem. The test is simple: will the government commission its own long-term study on Indian adolescents before drafting any law?
Sources (2): ndtv.com, newindianexpress.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
