Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a bold proposal to ban social media access for children below the age of 16 across the state. The move, unveiled during the state budget presentation, aims to address the growing problem of smartphone dependency among young people and protect children from the harmful impacts of excessive digital exposure.
The proposed policy focuses on shielding minors from addictive algorithms, cyberbullying, mental health challenges, and inappropriate online content—factors experts say are increasingly linked to anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances among adolescents.
The Karnataka government's decision comes amid mounting concerns about the impact of smartphones on children. Several studies indicate that more than 70 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 15 spend over three hours a day on popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Parents and educators have raised alarms over declining attention spans, reduced academic performance, and growing social isolation among students. The situation has worsened in the post-pandemic era, where increased screen time became the norm due to online learning and limited outdoor activities.
Highlighting these concerns, Siddaramaiah described the proposed ban as a “proactive shield” designed to reclaim childhoods that are increasingly being dominated by digital devices.
Congress leader Rizwan Arshad said the issue of social media usage among children is a growing concern for families across the country.
“Social media usage by young children is a social issue that every family is undergoing. We know that if our children get exposed to a lot of unfiltered information through social media, that affects their mental and emotional capabilities, it will impact their growth and their behaviour,” Arshad said.
He added that while the government's intent is understandable, broader consultation is necessary before implementing the policy.
“The government needs to take society into confidence and formulate a policy for implementation. We need to sit and deliberate on this issue,” he said.
Under the proposed plan, social media platforms will be required to introduce strict age-verification systems to prevent underage users from accessing their services. The government also plans to introduce parental control mechanisms through Aadhaar-linked monitoring applications.
Technology companies that fail to comply with the rules could face fines of up to ₹10 lakh for each violation.
Schools will also play a key role in the initiative by introducing digital detox programmes aimed at encouraging students to reduce screen time. Authorities will monitor cyber cafés and mobile phone shops to ensure minors do not bypass the restrictions.
A dedicated task force under the Women and Child Welfare Department will supervise the implementation of the policy. The government also plans to launch awareness campaigns next month to educate parents and students about healthy digital habits, including promoting outdoor sports, reading, and other offline activities.
The initiative has been positioned as a major policy priority in the Karnataka budget, with an allocation of ₹50 crore for its rollout. Officials say the plan reflects the state's vision of “tech-tempered growth,” balancing technological progress with safeguards for young users.
While many child welfare advocates have welcomed the move as progressive, some technology developers and industry experts have raised concerns about practical challenges in enforcing such restrictions.
Siddaramaiah defended the proposal, saying the government has a responsibility to protect the younger generation.
“Our children's future cannot be outsourced to algorithms. It is time to unplug and rebuild real human connections,” he said.
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