Parliamentary committee backs age-restrictions for social media platforms | India News
New Delhi: A parliamentary committee will recommend to the government that it should explore introducing age-restrictions for social media platforms, a suggestion that would lead to a law seeking to limit children’s exposure at a time when countries around the world are warming to the idea. The committee’s push for the government to limit social media exposure for children, though it did not specify an age bracket but suggested it seems to be their goal, comes amid growing calls in India, including state governments, to ban SM platforms for minors below a certain age.
Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication and Information Technology Dr BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, has received its report and is likely to table it in Parliament on Monday, people aware of the development said. It urged the government to consider introducing a comprehensive law to curb the misuse of artificial intelligence based on strict and mandatory laws enacted in several countries. Pitching for a comprehensive law to prevent misuse of artificial intelligence, the panel cited deepfake audio and video besides its deployment in financial fraud and intimidation to support its suggestions even as it acknowledged the government’s steps to prevent such incidents and protect innocent people, especially women and children. At the committee meeting, members across party lines flagged the growing threat of cybercrime, which has robbed people of life savings in many cases that have made national headlines, and called for tougher countermeasures. At present, such cases fall under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Universal Set of Criminal Laws and the IT Act. The panel said, “The committee opines that AI should be used ethically and responsibly. The committee is given to understand that several countries around the world have already enacted strict and binding laws to prevent misuse of artificial intelligence. It calls on the government to explore the possibility of enacting a comprehensive law to prevent misuse of AI and also explore whether age restrictions for certain platforms could be an option to protect people from misuse of AI.” Official sources said the mention of specific platforms is meant for social media and its adverse effects on children. While there is a recognition among governments on this issue, it has so far limited itself to raising concerns and building consensus on ways to address the challenges. Two Indian states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, have taken a stand to ban use by children of a certain age, but no nationwide policy on limiting social media use yet exists. Australia has become the first country to ban social media accounts for children under 16, prompting calls for similar policies in other countries and several European countries now in the midst of legislation. The panel said efficient use of AI will help solve “humanity’s problems” and help the common man through its integration in healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, industry and infrastructure development. It has called on the Ministry of Electronics and IT to encourage specialized studies and courses in AI, besides popularizing schools, colleges, academic research and PhDs from low quality, and work towards setting up data centers and AI labs across the country.
