Our Bureau
Bengaluru
In a bold move, the Karnataka government has banned social media use for children under 16 years old. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced this during his budget speech on March 6, 2026, making Karnataka the first Indian state to take such a step. The decision aims to protect young minds from the harms of too much screen time.
The tech hub of Bengaluru, home to giants like Infosys and Flipkart, now leads in child safety online. Siddaramaiah said the ban fights the bad effects of rising mobile phone use among kids. “Social media will be restricted for those under 16,” he stated clearly in the 2026-27 budget document. This comes as India has over 750 million smartphones and one billion internet users.
Parents and teachers welcome the idea. Many worries about addiction, bullying, and less outdoor play. School groups note kids often use apps for studies, but a full ban might help focus on real learning. Experts point to Australia, which has similar rules to cut mental health risks for minors.
But questions remain on how it will work. Will apps like Instagram and TikTok check ages? Platforms already need parental consent under national data laws.
