New Delhi: A parliamentary committee is set to recommend to the government that it should consider imposing age-restrictions for social media platforms, a suggestion that will give a legislative boost to the demand to limit children’s exposure at a time when countries around the world are pushing for the idea. The committee has urged the government to limit social media exposure for children, although it did not specify any age group, but its suggestion appears to be targeted towards children. This comes amid a growing demand inside India, including state governments, to ban SM platforms for minors below a certain age. Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Information Technology, headed by BJP People with knowledge of the matter said that MP Nishikant Dubey has accepted its report and it is likely to be presented in Parliament on Monday. It has also urged the government to consider bringing a comprehensive law to prevent misuse of Artificial Intelligence on the lines of stringent and binding laws implemented in many countries. Advocating for a comprehensive law to prevent misuse of Artificial Intelligence, the panel cited its deployment for financial fraud and intimidation in addition to deepfake audio and videos to support its suggestions, while also acknowledging the government’s steps to prevent such incidents and protect innocent people, especially women and children. At committee meetings, members cutting across party lines have flagged the growing threat of cyber crimes, which have robbed people of their life savings in several cases that have made national headlines, and called for stringent counter-measures. Currently, such cases fall under the provisions of the Indian Justice Code, an omnipresent set of criminal laws, and the IT Act. “The committee is of the opinion that AI should be used ethically and responsibly,” the panel said. It has been explained to the Committee that many countries of the world have already made stringent and binding laws to prevent misuse of Artificial Intelligence. It urges the government to explore the possibility of 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 reference to some platforms is to social media and its adverse effects on children. Although there is a recognition within the government on the issue, it has so far limited itself to expressing concern and calling for consensus on how to deal with the challenge. Two Indian states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, have taken a stand on banning use by children of a certain age group, but no nationwide policy exists yet to restrict social media use. Australia has become the first country to ban social media accounts for children under 16, leading to calls for similar policies in other countries, and several European countries are now in the midst of creating legislation. The panel said efficient use of AI will help solve “humanity’s problems” and help common people through its integration in health care, education, agriculture, energy, industry and infrastructure creation. It has urged the Ministry of Electronics and IT to work towards popularizing it in schools, colleges, academic research and lower standards of PhD and setting up data centers and AI labs across the country besides encouraging specialized studies and courses in AI.