Goa has taken a pioneering step in addressing concerns over children’s use of social media, with a proposal to restrict access for those under 16 now ready for submission to the Centre. Officials said discussions have been held on limiting the use of platforms such as Instagram and Facebook among young students, citing concerns over their necessity and potential impact.
The report outlining these recommendations has been finalised and will be presented to Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw after being reviewed by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant.
The proposal suggests curbing non-essential social media usage while encouraging students to use educational digital tools such as Google for learning purposes. Sources indicated that Goa is among the first states in India to formally examine such restrictions, positioning it at the forefront of the debate on responsible digital use among children. The move appears to be gaining traction, with states like Andhra Pradesh also beginning similar discussions.
The Goa government will place its Draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy in the public domain on May 4, 2026, inviting feedback from citizens and stakeholders to help shape an inclusive and forward-looking framework.
According to the announcement, the draft policy will be accessible on the state government portal as well as the IT Department’s website for a period of 15 days. During this time, citizens, students, industry representatives, and subject experts are encouraged to submit their suggestions and recommendations.
IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to participatory policymaking, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to the development of Goa’s AI ecosystem.
He further stated that the government aims to implement the final AI policy within 100 days, fulfilling a commitment made to the people of Goa.
