Maharashtra’s Humble Blueprint For Safer Social Media Childhoods

Task Force And Policy Development
The government constituted a task force on February 2, 2026, to study the multi-faceted impact of social media and online gaming on minors. This includes psychological, physical, educational, and advertising-related effects. The task force will provide its report within three months, forming the basis of the new policy.

Proposed Measures Under Consideration
The policy is expected to include age verification mechanisms, screen time limits, and stricter parental oversight tools. It may also introduce digital literacy programs in schools to help children understand safe online practices. Importantly, the government has rejected calls for an outright ban, opting instead for balanced regulation.

Awareness And Community Engagement
Alongside regulatory measures, the state plans awareness campaigns targeting schools, parents, and communities. These campaigns will highlight responsible digital behavior, risks of online gaming addiction, and strategies to protect children from harmful content.

Key Highlights

• Task force constituted to study social media’s impact on minors
• Report expected within three months to guide policy framework
• Proposed measures include age verification, screen time limits, parental controls
• Awareness campaigns to promote digital literacy and safe online practices
• Government rejects outright ban, opting for balanced regulation

Sources: Hindustan Times, NDTV, Clarion India