The Gujarat government has started exploring ways to regulate the use of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) among school students below the age of 16. The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Australia’s decision to ban children under 16 from using social media.
According to senior government officials, the state has begun studying how similar measures can be introduced in Gujarat. The aim is to reduce excessive screen time and prevent children from becoming overly dependent on AI tools, which experts believe could affect their overall development.
Concerns Over Screen Time and AI Dependence
Officials said the government is not only focusing on social media but is also examining the increasing use of AI by students. There is growing concern that many children are relying too much on AI-powered tools for their studies instead of thinking and solving problems on their own.
The government believes that excessive dependence on AI may affect children’s ability to reason, think critically, and develop independent problem-solving skills. These concerns will be taken into account while preparing future guidelines.
At the same time, the harmful effects of heavy social media use on children’s mental health, behaviour, and attention span have already been widely discussed, making the issue even more important.
Australia’s Model Inspires Gujarat
The initiative follows PM Narendra Modi’s comments at the Australia-India Leaders’ Summit held last week. During the summit, Modi described Australia’s efforts to reform its social media and information technology laws as “highly inspiring for the world.” He also said that India is learning from the measures being introduced there.
Taking this as a reference, Gujarat has started examining whether similar safeguards can be introduced for school-going children in the state.
Government Studying Policies from Other Regions
The state’s education department is reviewing rules and policies already adopted in Australia and several European countries. It is also looking at steps taken by Indian states such as Andhra Pradesh and Goa, which have started preparing guidelines to discourage or regulate social media use among children below the age of 16.
Officials hope that studying these examples will help Gujarat develop a practical framework that suits local needs.
Implementation Will Not Be Easy
Government officials admitted that enforcing any restrictions will be a major challenge, especially inside homes.
One official pointed out that it would be difficult to monitor whether a child or an adult is using social media on a shared device at home. Because of such practical difficulties, officials said every aspect of implementation will need careful planning before any policy is finalised.
Experts and Parents to Be Consulted
Before introducing any guidelines, the Gujarat government plans to hold discussions with a wide range of stakeholders. These include parents, teachers, education experts, child psychologists, and digital safety specialists.
The aim is to prepare balanced guidelines that protect children’s mental and cognitive development without creating unnecessary difficulties for families.
Proposal Still in Early Stage
Officials clarified that the proposal is still at a preliminary stage and no final decision has been taken. The government has not yet decided what the final rules or guidelines will look like.
They also said that the Union government is considering similar measures at the national level, and Gujarat is in contact with the Centre as the discussions continue.
If implemented, the new framework could become one of Gujarat’s biggest steps towards promoting safer and more responsible use of digital technology among school students while encouraging healthier learning habits and independent thinking.
Also Read: Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Wipes Out Nearly 5 Mn Accounts https://www.vibesofindia.com/australias-under-16-social-media-ban-wipes-out-nearly-5-mn-accounts/
