Bengaluru, 30 Jan

Karnataka Minister for Electronics, IT/BT Priyank Kharge on Friday told the Legislative Assembly that the government was holding consultations to put in place measures for the responsible use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and social media, especially among children.

The minister’s comments came in response to senior BJP MLA and former Minister Suresh Kumar’s point, raising concerns over exposure of children to social media, including pornographic content, during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address.

The BJP MLA cited Australia, which recently banned the use of social media platforms by those under 16 years of age, and the central government’s Economic Survey pitching for an age bar for social media access.

Referring to the social media ban for children, the central government’s Economic Survey tabled in Parliament on Thursday, Suresh Kumar said age-based access to online platforms should be considered while also cutting down on online teaching to avoid digital addiction.

Kumar said, “Australia has taken a very serious decision that children under the age of 16 should not be exposed to social media. The report (Economic Survey) submitted in the Lok Sabha yesterday has also expressed concerns over premature exposure of children to social media.”

He also expressed concerns over the exposure of children to porn online.

“This is a very serious matter. The State government should also decide on social media. Neighbouring Goa has made a decision. There should be some kind of age limit. Control may not be possible, but we should take some measures. If not done, I don’t know what the situation of our schools and families is,” he added.

Minister Kharge admitted that the issue raised by the senior legislator related to a “serious matter”.

“Finland has also taken action, the UK is mulling over it, and it has been a couple of months since Australia imposed a ban. We, too, in the State are holding consultations regarding what has to be done for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence and social media,” he said.