In a move to address growing concerns over the effects of digital technology on children, the Maharashtra government is set to formulate a comprehensive policy to regulate social media use among minors. It will be based on the findings of an expert task force studying impact of social media and online gaming.
This initiative comes amid a broader national conversation on how to protect children online.
The announcement was made by the state information technology minister Ashish Shelar in the state assembly last week.
He said that while some states have announced restrictions on social media use, no comprehensive law has yet been implemented. Maharashtra has taken a serious approach by setting up a task force to examine the issue in depth, he added.
He also emphasized that imposing a blanket ban on mobile phones or social media use for individuals under 18 would not be appropriate, given the importance of the internet in education. A balanced approach is necessary.
As per the Government Resolution (GR) issued March 25, the decision, by the General Administration Department (Information Technology), comes amid rising concerns flagged in the recent economic survey by the Ministry of Finance.
The GR also highlighted the adverse effects of excessive social media use on the mental and physical health of children.
In February, the state government constituted a high-level task force to examine the growing impact of social media usage among minors and recommend regulatory and policy measures to safeguard their well-being. The 13-member expert panel has been given a three-month deadline to submit its recommendations.
Based on the panel's report, the state will consider policy options including reforms to existing information technology laws, age-verification mechanisms, screen time limits, and digital safety education integrated into school curricular.
Awareness and training programmes targeting students, teachers and parents are also under discussion.The report by the Indian Psychiatric Society has also pointed to a significant rise in mental health issues among minors, further underlining the urgency of intervention.
As per the official statement, Maharashtra is home to nearly 4 crore children below the age of 18, making the issue critical for the state’s long-term social and developmental outcomes.