Govt Mandates Safeguards Over Age-Inappropriate Content on OTT
The central government has reiterated its commitment towards ethical digital media practices while upholding freedom of speech. In a significant move, the government has mandated OTT (Over-The-Top) platforms to implement robust safeguards to prevent the transmission of age-inappropriate content to minors. This decision aims to strike a balance between the creative freedom of content creators and the need to protect children from harmful or objectionable content.
As per the new norms, OTT platforms are required to classify their content into five age-based categories, namely, U (Universal), U/A 7+ (Parental guidance for children below 7 years), U/A 13+ (Parental guidance for children below 13 years), U/A 16+ (Parental guidance for children below 16 years), and A (Adult content, restricted to 18+ years). This categorization will enable parents to make informed decisions about the type of content their children can access.
In addition to content classification, OTT platforms are also required to restrict access to age-inappropriate content by implementing strict parental controls and a robust viewer verification process. This may include features such as password-protected accounts, PIN-protected access to adult content, and age-verification mechanisms to ensure that minors are not accessing content meant for adults.
The government has also emphasized the importance of ensuring that no prohibited content is transmitted on OTT platforms. Prohibited content includes, but is not limited to, content that promotes violence, hatred, or discrimination against any individual or group based on their caste, creed, religion, or nationality. OTT platforms are also prohibited from transmitting content that is obscene, defamatory, or invasive of an individual’s privacy.
The move to regulate OTT platforms has been welcomed by parents and child rights activists, who have long been advocating for stricter controls on online content. With the increasing popularity of OTT platforms, there has been a growing concern about the impact of age-inappropriate content on children. Exposure to violent, explicit, or disturbing content can have a lasting impact on a child’s mental and emotional well-being, and can even lead to behavioral problems and decreased empathy.
The government’s decision to mandate safeguards over age-inappropriate content on OTT platforms is a significant step towards ensuring that children are protected from harm. However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on the willingness of OTT platforms to comply with the new norms and invest in robust content moderation and parental control systems.
In recent years, there have been several instances of OTT platforms being criticized for hosting content that is not suitable for minors. In some cases, platforms have been accused of promoting content that is violent, explicit, or discriminatory. The government’s move to regulate OTT platforms is a response to these concerns and an attempt to ensure that online content is aligned with Indian values and cultural norms.
The new norms for OTT platforms are also expected to have a significant impact on the way content is created and consumed in India. With the emphasis on content classification and parental controls, creators will need to be more mindful of the type of content they produce and the audience they are catering to. This may lead to a shift towards more family-friendly content and a reduction in the amount of explicit or violent content available on OTT platforms.
In conclusion, the government’s decision to mandate safeguards over age-inappropriate content on OTT platforms is a welcome move that will help protect children from harm. The new norms will require OTT platforms to classify their content into age-based categories, restrict access to age-inappropriate content, and ensure that no prohibited content is transmitted. With the increasing popularity of OTT platforms, it is essential that we take steps to regulate online content and ensure that it is aligned with Indian values and cultural norms.
News Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx
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