Karnataka govt set to ban social media for children under 16; here's why

The Karnataka government has announced a proposal to ban social media use for children below the age of 16 due to concerns related rising smartphone addiction, online safety risks and excessive screen exposure among young users.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made the announcement on Friday while presenting the state Budget for 2026–27 at the Vidhana Soudha. He said the move is aimed at preventing the adverse effects of increasing mobile phone use on children and protecting young minds from the negative impact of social media.

If implemented, the policy would make Karnataka the first state in India to make a definitive announcement restricting social media use for minors under 16. Other states such as Andhra Pradesh and Goa have earlier said they are examining similar measures.

The proposal has been under discussion within the Karnataka government for several months. State IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge had earlier told the Assembly that the government was studying ways to ensure responsible use of AI and social media among young users.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had also raised concerns about the health impact of excessive screen exposure. BJP MLA and former minister Suresh Kumar had urged the government to address the issue, warning that unregulated social media use could harm both education and family environments.

The Chief Minister had also held discussions with university vice chancellors on whether mobile phone use should be restricted for children below 16.

The issue of children spending long hours on smartphones has increasingly concerned educators and parents. Many experts say excessive social media use can affect concentration, sleep patterns and mental well-being. It may also reduce the time children spend on studies, physical activity and face-to-face interaction with family and friends.

School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa had earlier said on February 26 that the government had been considering such a restriction for a long time and that consultations with students, parents and experts would help shape the final decision. He also pointed to the role of parents, noting that many hand mobile phones to children to keep them occupied, which increases exposure to social media and other online distractions.

Karnataka’s move comes amid a wider global debate on regulating children’s access to social media. Several countries are exploring restrictions to address concerns around screen addiction, online safety and algorithm-driven content exposure.

Australia has introduced strict measures limiting social media access for younger users. The United Kingdom and Finland are also discussing safeguards. In parts of Europe, including France and Spain, schools have introduced limits on smartphone use in classrooms to reduce distractions and improve student focus.

AI has further complicated the issue. AI-powered chatbots and recommendation algorithms can keep children engaged for long durations while collecting behavioural data. In some cases, experts say such systems may inadvertently expose minors to harmful content or enable new forms of manipulation.

At the same time, digital platforms also provide access to learning resources, coding communities, creative opportunities and even early entrepreneurial ventures for many young users. Because of this dual role, experts say blanket bans may be difficult to enforce and could push children toward unregulated platforms, virtual private networks (VPNs) or hidden accounts that are harder for parents and authorities to monitor.