Karnataka Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 in State Budget

The Karnataka government announced a ban on social media usage for children under 16 to combat the adverse effects of excessive mobile phone exposure.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah introduced the proposal during the 2026-27 State Budget, citing the need to protect the mental health and character of young users.

This initiative complements the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, by adding state-level restrictions on platform access for minors. The government intends to frame specific rules for age verification and platform compliance.

Furthermore, the budget outlines strict measures to curb drug abuse in educational institutions through awareness campaigns and counseling centers.