Andhra Pradesh Forms Ministers' Panel to Explore Social Media Ban for Under-16s

• Andhra Pradesh government constitutes a Group of Ministers to examine restricting or prohibiting social media access for children under 16.
• The panel, led by IT Minister Nara Lokesh, includes Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and Health Minister Satya Kumar.
• The group will review regulatory approaches from India and internationally, including Australia's proposed minimum age of 16 for social media.
• Home Minister Anitha emphasized the need for social media platforms to verify age through proof documents, not just self-declaration.
• Recommendations are expected within a month, to be finalized after consulting CM N Chandrababu Naidu and shared with the central government.

Why It Matters: Andhra Pradesh is exploring a social media ban or restrictions for children under 16 to enhance online safety.