Karnataka officially became the first Indian state to announce a total ban on social media for children under the age of 16.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled the proposal during his 2026–27 State Budget speech at Vidhana Soudha, citing the “adverse effects of increasing mobile usage” on children’s mental health, behavior, and academic performance.
Key Highlights of the Ban
The move aims to transition children away from “predatory” digital algorithms and back toward traditional learning and physical activities.
- The Mandate: “With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16,” the Chief Minister stated.
- Global Inspiration: The policy is modeled after Australia’s landmark December 2025 law, which also enforces an under-16 cutoff.
- Enforcement: While detailed rules are still being framed, the government has suggested:
- Strict Age Verification: Platforms will be required to implement robust systems, likely linked to Aadhaar or government-recognized identity lockers.
- Heavy Penalties: Social media companies could face fines of up to ₹10 lakh per violation for failing to restrict underage access.
- Special Task Force: A dedicated unit under the Women and Child Welfare Department will monitor the rollout.
Related Educational Initiatives
The ban is part of a broader “Digital Detox” strategy introduced in the ₹4.48 lakh crore budget.
| Initiative | Description |
| “Mobile Bidi, Pustaka Hidi” | A statewide campaign (meaning “Drop the mobile, pick up a book”) to encourage library visits and reading. |
| Digital Detox Programs | Schools will be mandated to run programs for 300,000 students and 100,000 teachers to encourage responsible tech use. |
| Drug Abuse Support | Establishment of dedicated counseling centers on campuses to curb substance abuse, which the CM linked to unregulated digital influences. |
The Legal & Regulatory Conflict
The move adds a layer of state-level complexity to India’s existing central laws.
- DPDP Act (2023): India’s national data law already requires verifiable parental consent for anyone under 18. Karnataka’s law is stricter, moving from “consented access” to a “direct prohibition” for those under 16.
- Expert Concerns: While many parents and educators support the move, some tech experts warn that a blanket ban is easy to bypass via VPNs or fake IDs. They argue for “digital literacy” rather than total restriction.
Broader “Tech Hub” Budget Announcements
As the home of Bengaluru, the budget also focused heavily on reinforcing Karnataka’s status as a global tech leader:
- Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone: A new AI and Technology Park will be established under IISc, in collaboration with ISRO and KEONICS.
- Infrastructure: Approval of the North-South and East-West corridors (40 km total) at an estimated cost of ₹40,000 crore to ease Bengaluru’s legendary traffic.
