Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a ban on social media access for children under 16 during the presentation of the 2026-27 state budget, aiming to curb the adverse effects of rising mobile phone usage on youth.
Policy Rationale
The measure targets mobile addiction’s impact on children’s mental health, academics, and social development, following global precedents like Australia’s recent under-16 social media restrictions. Siddaramaiah highlighted Karnataka’s tech leadership while stressing responsible innovation, integrating the ban into broader tech initiatives like the Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone with IISc, ISRO, and Keonics.
Implementation Details
Details on enforcement remain preliminary, with consultations involving parents, experts, and educators planned before finalizing via legislation or guidelines across IT/BT, Law, and Home departments. The state budget totals Rs 4,48,004 crore, balancing welfare, infrastructure, and tech growth amid GST revenue concerns from 2025 rate rationalization.
Broader Context
This follows earlier discussions at a Vice-Chancellors’ conclave and campaigns like ‘Mobile Bidi, Pustaka Hidi’ (Leave the phone, pick a book), with Andhra Pradesh and Goa considering similar steps. Schools advocate SOPs over outright bans, emphasizing monitored use.
