Social Media Ban For Minors In AP

Andhra Pradesh is considering an Australia-style ban on social media usage for minors below the age of 16. The proposal was shared by IT and HR Minister Nara Lokesh.

According to Lokesh, children below a certain age should not be exposed to social media platforms. He stated that minors often lack the maturity required to properly understand and contextualise the content they consume online.

The state government is currently studying global models to strengthen online safety measures for minors. There is growing concern worldwide about children and teenagers being exposed to violent and inappropriate digital content.

While social media does offer educational and helpful material, Nara Lokesh pointed out the darker side of the internet. Harmful networks can target children and teens, potentially causing psychological trauma and influencing poor decision-making.

Concerns have also been raised recently over AI bot Grok, which faced complaints for generating sexualised images and engaging in inappropriate conversations, including those involving minors. Reports have also highlighted the creation of non-consensual deep fakes, raising alarms over digital safety and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The Australia government recently took a strong step by banning social media access for minors under 16. Platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram were restricted to protect children from cyber bullying, harmful content, and online exploitation.

However, critics argue that such bans may lead to social isolation and raise concerns about effective implementation. Despite this, Minister Lokesh’s views have received a largely positive response from netizens worried about the growing influence of social media on the younger generation.