Australia to Ban Social Media For Children
Syllabus: GS1/ Social Issues
In News
- The Australian government has announced plans to introduce legislation restricting social media access for children under 16, aiming to mitigate potential harms associated with online platforms.
Social Media
- Social media refers to online platforms where people create, share, and exchange information and ideas. Examples include Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Harmful effects of social media on children
- Mental Health Issues: Increases anxiety, depression, and risk of cyberbullying.
- Sleep Disturbance: Poor sleep quality and screen addiction.
- Academic Impact Reduces focus, leading to lower grades and procrastination.
- Social Skills Decline: Less face-to-face interaction weakens social skills.
- Body Image Issues: Causes body dissatisfaction and self-esteem problems.
- Privacy Risks: Exposure to inappropriate content and data privacy threats.
- Materialism: Influencer culture promotes unrealistic lifestyles and self doubts.
Social Media Regulation in India
- In India, social media regulation is governed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 and Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023.
IT Rules 2021:
- Grievance Redressal Mechanism:A three-level grievance redressal system has been established, allowing users to report concerns. Each platform must respond to complaints within a specified time frame.
- Disclosure of Origin: Social media platforms are required to reveal the first originator of a controversial or harmful message when requested by a court or authorized government agency. This rule helps track the spread of misinformation or harmful content.
- Chief Compliance Officer: All social media intermediaries must appoint a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), a resident of India, to ensure the platform’s adherence to local laws and respond to legal requirements.
- Voluntary Verification: Significant social media platforms must provide an option for users to voluntarily verify their accounts, promoting trustworthiness on the platform.
Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023:
- Section 9: Governs children’s data under age 18 with three conditions:
- Parental Consent: Requires verifiable consent from parents/guardians.
- Well-being Focus: Data processing must prioritize child well-being.
- No Targeted Advertising: Restricts tracking and behavioral advertising targeting children.
Global Social Media Regulations for Children
- China: Restricts daily internet use based on age, with limitations ranging from 40 minutes to two hours per day, and bans internet use for minors from 10 PM to 6 AM.
- European Union: Proposed a ban on internet access without parental consent for children under 16. Imposes strict data privacy controls, setting a benchmark for user data protection worldwide.
- South Korea: Enacted the Cinderella Law in 2011, which banned children under 16 from online gaming from midnight to 6 AM, aimed at reducing internet addiction. The law was abolished in 2021.
- France: Requires parental authorization for children under 15 to access social media.
- Earnings of influencers under 16 are protected from parental access until the child reaches 16.
Issues with Banning Social Media for Children
- Enforcement Difficulties: Digital age restrictions are hard to enforce; children can find ways to bypass them.
- Parental Burden: Age restrictions place an added burden on parents, especially where digital literacy is low, making it difficult for them to monitor children’s activities effectively.
- Freedom of Expression: Banning social media restricts children’s rights to express themselves and access diverse information.
- Benefits of Social Media: Provides community support, promotes learning, and keeps children informed about global issues and trends.
Way Ahead
- Enhanced Age Verification Technologies: Implement advanced, reliable age-verification tools that can accurately restrict children’s access based on regulatory requirements.
- Parental Involvement and Digital Literacy Programs: Introduce widespread digital literacy programs for parents and guardians, especially in regions with low digital awareness.
- Stricter Data Privacy and Content Moderation Policies: Reinforce data privacy for minors by updating policies to ensure their personal information remains protected.
- Integrated Digital Literacy in School Curricula: Schools can play a crucial role by integrating digital literacy into the curriculum, helping children understand the ethical and safe use of social media.
- Emphasis on Mental Health Support: Develop support systems within schools and communities to address the mental health impacts of social media use on children.
Three-phase Approach towards Enhancing Jointness Across the Armed Forces
Syllabus: GS3/ Defence
Context
- Army chief General outlined the three-phase approach towards enhancing jointness across the armed forces, at a time when the military is ready to present its Theaterisation model to the decision-makers.
Background
- Theaterisation, which requires jointness and integration, is a long-awaited reform for the best use of the military’s resources to fight future wars.
- The Theaterisation model being pursued involves raising;
- The China-centric northern Theatre command in Lucknow,
- The Pakistan-centric western Theatre command in Jaipur, and
- The maritime Theater command in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Three-phase approach
- Jointness 1.0: It focused on integrating acquisition planning, courses, and operational joint logistic nodes, with three fully operational and four more in progress.
- Jointness 2.0: The progress was made in aligning doctrines, standard operating procedures and creating joint maintenance organizations for major platforms.
- Jointness 3.0: The army aims to expand common operational planning process, tech sharing, and resources like UAVs and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) systems.
| Integrated Theatre Command – It is a unified command in which the resources of all the services are unified under a single commander looking at a geographical theater. – The commander of a joint command will have the freedom to train and equip his command as per the objective and will have logistics of all the services at his beckoning. 1. The three services will retain their independent identities as well. – A committee headed by Lieutenant General D B Shekatkar had recommended three commands: Northern, for China; Western, for the Pakistan border’ and Southern, for maritime security. |
Integrated vs Jointness
- Jointness means that while the 3 Services progress and develop in their respective spheres with their independent identity, they function together and so coordinate their operations in war.
- Integrated Commands, on the other hand, seek to merge individual service identities to achieve a composite and cohesive whole.
Advantages
- Better acclimatization of troops in the given battlespace for operational efficiency.
- Training needs and administrative requirements of the troops can be better understood for specialization and conducting drills.
- Quick mobilization of troops is possible for the high-intensity war-like situation.
- The allocation of military hardware can become theater specific and result in optimisation of the resources.
- Unified command will allow for prompt and precise decision making and remove hierarchical redundancies.
Challenges in Implementation
- Difference of opinion among three forces: There are differences among the three forces on scope, structure, and control of the commands.
- Transfer of Resources: There is a contention on the kind of war-fighting equipment that will be deployed under a single command and ambiguity surrounding the transfer of weapons, platforms, and resources from one theater command to another.
- Curriculum Framework: In terms of preparing the educational bedrock for military personnel to serve in theater commands, the country seems to be behind the curve.
Concluding remarks
- The three-phase approach to enhancing jointness lays a strong foundation for creating a cohesive and efficient command structure.
- However, successful implementation requires overcoming inter-service differences, revising educational frameworks, and ensuring robust resource allocation mechanisms.
Airships for Climate Change
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
- Climate change is bringing back the idea of airships as viable alternatives for transportation and environmental observation.
What are Airships?
- Airships are lighter-than-air aircraft that are lifted by gas with a density lower than atmospheric gasses.
- This principle also operates in helium balloons.
- The structure of an airship often includes an envelope (or balloon) filled with the lifting gas and a gondola or cabin where the crew, passengers, or cargo are housed.
- Early airships used hydrogen as the lifting gas, since it was cheap and the lightest existing gas. But hydrogen was also extremely flammable.
- Most modern airships use helium, which is non-combustible.
Challenges
- Buoyancy Management: A major hurdle for airships as cargo vehicles is managing buoyancy changes when loading or unloading freight.
- Speed: Airships are considerably slower than airplanes, which limits their use for time-sensitive transportation.
- Helium Scarcity: Helium is a non-renewable resource primarily obtained from natural gas extraction.
Need for Airships in Modern Times
- Low Emissions: Airships offer an inherently eco-friendly mode of transport as they do not burn fossil fuels for lift.
- Freight Efficiency: With a superior lift-to-drag ratio, airships can transport large amounts of cargo with significantly less fuel, offering a sustainable alternative to fuel-guzzling jets
- Remote Accessibility: Airships have the unique ability to access remote areas without requiring extensive infrastructure, such as runways or roads.
India Should be Part of RCEP and CPTPP
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
- Niti Aayog CEO stated that India should join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade blocs.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
- The RCEP bloc comprises;
- 10 ASEAN group members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam and
- Five FTA partners: China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
- These RCEP countries account for about 30% of the global GDP and 30% of the world population.
- India pulled out of the RCEP in 2019 after entering negotiations in 2013, in view that reduced customs duty would result in a flood of imports from China and trade deficit with other RCEP nations.
- The landmark agreement was signed in November 2020.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
- CPTPP is a free trade bloc spanning five continents, made up of Pacific rim countries of Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, the UK and Japan.
- The pact requires countries to eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs and make strong commitments to opening services and investment markets.
- It also has rules addressing competition, intellectual property rights and protections for foreign companies.
Need for Joining the trade blocs
- Capturing the ‘China Plus One’ Opportunity: As global businesses look to diversify beyond China, countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, and Mexico have already capitalized on this trend.
- India has the potential to emerge as an attractive alternative destination.
- Boosting the MSME Sector: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contribute approximately 40% of India’s exports.
- Integrating into larger trade blocs like RCEP and CPTPP could enhance their market reach and growth prospects.
- Economic Growth: The World Bank’s India Development Update emphasized that joining RCEP could boost trade, investment, and GDP growth.
- Trade Expansion: India’s economy, projected to be the third largest by 2027, would benefit from greater integration into global markets, leading to long-term sustainable development.
Challenges of joining these blocs
- Trade Deficit Concerns: India’s existing trade deficit with China is a major deterrent. In FY2023, bilateral trade with China stood at $118 billion, with a deficit of $85 billion.
- Impact on Domestic Sectors: MSMEs and some agriculture sectors will face increased competition from international imports, potentially affecting their viability.
- ASEAN’s trade deficit with China has jumped from $ 135.6 billion in 2023 from $ 81.7 billion in 2020.
Way Ahead
- India should adopt a phased approach to tariff reduction and align its trade policies to be more globally competitive. Ensuring support for vulnerable sectors like MSMEs through subsidies, training, and infrastructure upgrades is needed.
- Strengthening the manufacturing ecosystem and enhancing quality standards can help Indian products compete effectively on the global stage.
- Balanced Trade Negotiations: While joining RCEP and CPTPP, India must negotiate terms that safeguard its economic interests.
- This includes securing provisions that prevent dumping and protect strategic industries.
CSR Contributions to Agriculture
Syllabus: GS 3/Economy, Agriculture
In News
- According to the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Portal, from 2014 to 2023, ₹1.84 lakh crore of CSR funds were disbursed.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- It involves companies taking responsibility for their impact on environmental and social well-being, working to improve society and reduce negative impacts.
- India’s CSR Mandate: India became the first country to legally mandate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013.
- It requires companies to undertake social welfare projects.
- It aims to advance sustainable development goals and foster public-private partnerships to drive India’s transformation.
Thrust Areas for CSR Initiatives
- Education: Investments in schools, scholarships, educational resources, and infrastructure improvements, especially in underserved communities.
- Health: Improving healthcare access through hospital construction, mobile clinics, and telemedicine for underserved areas.
- Employment: Creating job opportunities, skill training, and inclusive hiring to support marginalized groups.
- Skill Development: Programs for technical and vocational training, apprenticeships, and certifications.
- Sports: Supporting sports events, building facilities, and promoting participation among youth and marginalized groups.
- Livelihood: Enhancing livelihoods with support for income-generating activities, microfinance, and sustainable practices.
- Environmental Sustainability: Reducing ecological impact through conservation, eco-friendly practices, and resource management.
Need in Agriculture sector
- Agriculture employs nearly 47% of India’s workforce and contributes 16.73% to GDP.
- However, challenges include natural resource degradation, stagnant farmer incomes, and climate threats.
CSR Contributions to Agriculture
- Many companies are focusing CSR efforts on climate action and sustainability in agriculture.
- An outlook report showed that 23% of surveyed companies prioritize “environment and sustainability” for CSR.
- CSR funds support agriculture through projects like grain banks, farmer schools, livelihood projects, water conservation, and energy-efficient irrigation.
Main Challenges
- There is no precise way to track CSR funds specifically targeted at agriculture due to a lack of categorization in reporting mechanisms.
- Agricultural sustainability-related CSR activities can fall under 11 sectors listed in Schedule VII of the Companies Act. These categories are broad, making it hard to track agriculture-specific CSR spending.
Future Recommendations
- Developing a sector-specific CSR reporting framework would help address agricultural sustainability needs effectively and support India’s sustainable growth and just transition goals.
- To ensure effective funding and impact, agriculture should be specified as a distinct sector in CSR reporting.
- This would enhance targeting, transparency, and assessment of CSR contributions to agriculture.
Centres of Excellence for Research and Development of National Green Hydrogen Mission
Syllabus: GS3/Environmental Pollution & Degradation
Context
- Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited proposals for setting up ‘Centres of Excellence (CoE) under Research and Development (R&D) Scheme’ of ‘National Green Hydrogen Mission’.
About the Centres of Excellence for Research and Development on Green Hydrogen
- It is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched to propel India towards a low-carbon economy and enhance energy independence.
- The primary objective is to create world-class ‘Centres of Excellence’ that will serve as hubs for cutting-edge research, skill development, and knowledge dissemination in the field of Green Hydrogen.
- These centres aim to advance technologies related to the production, storage, and utilisation of Green Hydrogen, thereby accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy future.
| Green Hydrogen – It is generated through the electrolysis of water, a process powered by renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower. – It ensures that the hydrogen produced is free from carbon emissions, distinguishing it from grey hydrogen (produced from natural gas) and blue hydrogen (produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage). |
Key Features of the Initiative
- Integrated Research: The CoEs will facilitate integrated research covering multiple areas within the Green Hydrogen value chain.
- It includes innovations in production methods, storage solutions, and utilisation technologies.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: The initiative encourages collaboration among various stakeholders, including industry, academia, and government bodies.
- Public and private entities, research institutions, and universities are expected to form partnerships to submit proposals.
- Funding and Support: The government has allocated Rs 100 crores for setting up these centres under the Green Hydrogen Mission.
- It aims to support the establishment and operationalization of the CoEs, ensuring they have the necessary resources to drive significant advancements in Green Hydrogen technologies.
- Long-term Goals: The National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an outlay of Rs 19,744 crores up to FY 2029-30, aims to contribute to India’s goal of becoming Aatma Nirbhar (self-reliant) through clean energy.
- The mission is expected to lead to substantial decarbonization of the economy, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, and position India as a leader in Green Hydrogen technology and market.
Expected Outcomes
- Enhance Innovation: By fostering a collaborative environment, the CoEs will drive innovations that improve process efficiencies and lead to the development of new products.
- Promote Sustainability: Advancements in Green Hydrogen technologies will contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions, supporting global efforts to combat climate change.
- Boost Economic Growth: The initiative will create new opportunities for research and development, leading to job creation and economic growth in the clean energy sector.
Conclusion
- The Government of India’s call for proposals to set up Centres of Excellence for Green Hydrogen R&D marks a pivotal step towards a sustainable and energy-independent future.
- By leveraging the expertise and resources of various stakeholders, these centres will play a crucial role in advancing Green Hydrogen technologies and positioning India as a global leader in clean energy innovation.
