In a major policy move that could reshape how young people use the internet, the government of Karnataka has announced plans to ban social media use for children under the age of 16. In addition, the announcement was made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while showing the 2026-27 state budget in the Karnataka legislative assembly on March 6, 2026.
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If this announcement is implemented, Karnataka could become one of the first states in India to apply such a restriction, focusing to protect young users from the growing risks associated with excessive social media and smartphone usage.
During his speech, Siddaramaiah determined the reason behind the proposed measure, saying: “To prevent adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16.”
In addition, according to the state government, the decision comes amid rising issues about digital addiction, cyberbullying, mental health issues, and declining academic focus among school-age children because of excessive time spent on phones on social networking venues. As per reports, officials think limiting early exposure to social media could help enhance scholars’ concentration, well-being, and overall growth.
The proposal was revealed as part of Karnataka’s 17th state budget, which contains a total planned expenditure of ₹4,48,004 crore for the 2026–27 financial year. Moreover, by showing the budget, the chief minister emphasized that regulating children’s digital habits is becoming a key governance problem in the age of smartphones.
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The state government is expected to frame detailed rules and enforcement mechanisms in the coming months. Moreover, these could include age verification systems, parental consent requirements, and compliance guidelines for social media platforms operating in the state.