Karnataka proposes social media ban for children under 16

The Karnataka government has proposed restricting social media access for children under the age of 16. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced this move while presenting the state’s 2026–27 Budget in the Legislative Assembly.

The proposal aims to address rising concerns about smartphone dependency, excessive screen exposure and the behavioural impact of social media on younger users. The chief minister said the restriction is intended to reduce the adverse effects of growing mobile usage among children and protect their mental and academic well-being.

If implemented, Karnataka would become the first Indian state to formally announce a policy restricting social media access for minors below 16. The state’s budget this year, with an outlay of roughly ₹4.48 lakh crore, also included broader initiatives around education and technology-driven learning alongside measures to regulate children’s digital habits. 

The idea of regulating children’s social media usage has been under discussion in the state for several months. The government has previously consulted educators and university vice chancellors on the feasibility of limiting smartphone and platform access among teenagers, citing growing concerns around addiction, exposure to harmful content and declining academic focus. 

Other states exploring similar curbs

Karnataka’s proposal comes as other states begin to examine similar measures to regulate children’s digital exposure.

The government of Andhra Pradesh indicated it is preparing a policy to restrict social media use for children below the age of 13. Officials suggested the framework could roll out within the coming months as part of a broader digital safety initiative. 

Similarly, the government in Goa has also explored proposals to regulate social media access for minors as policymakers debate ways to address rising screen addiction among school-going children.

These discussions reflect growing concern among Indian state governments about how unregulated social media access may affect education, family dynamics and mental health, particularly as smartphone penetration among teenagers continues to rise.

A global debate on youth and social media

The issue is not unique to India. Governments worldwide are increasingly exploring regulatory frameworks for children’s digital consumption.

At the global level, leaders have begun calling for stronger safeguards around children’s access to online platforms. Speaking at the AI Action Summit earlier this year, Emmanuel Macron emphasised the need for stricter oversight of digital platforms, particularly when it comes to protecting young users from harmful content and excessive algorithmic exposure.

The French president argued that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and digital platforms makes it essential for governments to establish clearer rules for how young audiences interact with technology.

Across markets, the debate is shifting from whether social media should be regulated for children to how those restrictions can realistically be implemented. Technology companies have warned that blanket bans may push teenagers towards less regulated corners of the internet, while education experts argue that digital literacy and parental guidance should accompany any regulatory effort.

For now, Karnataka’s proposal marks one of the most significant attempts within India to address the growing intersection of children, smartphones and social media — a conversation that is likely to intensify as digital platforms continue to shape how the next generation communicates, learns and consumes content.

link: https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/could-indias-social-media-ban-debate-trigger-an-inflection-point-for-the-creator-economy-152290.html