MARGAO
Asserting that social media has both advantages and disadvantages for the younger generation, Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar on Thursday underscored the need for the stakeholders to conduct a brainstorming session before imposing a ban on the use of social media by youth below the age of 16 years.
He also stressed on the need to create awareness amongst the younger generation on how social media can advance their careers and how its misuse will spell doom for their future.
Speaking to the media on the side lines of the 7th Adivasi Students Conference at the Ravindra bhavan, Margao on Thursday, Tawadkar said there is no proposal with the government to ban use of social media by youth below the age group of 16 years. He, however, hastened to add that social media has both good and bad features, while stressing on the need to ensure that students pursue the advantages of social media.
“All I want to say is that our youth should not fall into the bad things of social things. An entire career of a student can suffer irreparable damage if he gets influenced by the social media. In this contest, I want to say that everyone should shoulder responsibility at the school and higher secondary level to teach students about what is good and with the social media”, he said.
Asked specifically whether he would support a ban on use of social media for certain age groups, Tawadkar feared that a ban might block the good things offered by the social media to the students.
“The government advisory panel, besides educationists should do a brainstorming on the issue before taking any decision”, he added.
