The Karnataka government has proposed banning social media access for children below the age of 16 as part of the state’s 2026–27 Budget, The announcement was made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his budget speech, making Karnataka the first state in India to move toward such a restriction.
The proposal aims to protect children from the harmful effects of excessive mobile phone usage and rising social media addiction among students. Authorities believe limiting access could help improve students’ mental well-being, academic focus, and overall development.
Why Government Proposed the Ban?
According to the state government, increasing smartphone use among young people has raised concerns about excessive screen time, behavioural changes, and declining academic performance.
The proposed policy intends to reduce these risks by restricting social media usage among minors. Officials say the move is designed to address growing worries about the impact of online platforms on children’s mental health and daily routines.
Part of the Larger Education Budget
The social media restriction was announced alongside several other education initiatives in the state budget. The government has proposed a ₹3,900-crore plan to upgrade around 800 schools into integrated “Karnataka Public Schools” that will offer education from primary to pre-university level. The initiative aims to improve access to quality education and reduce the need for students to relocate for higher classes.
Additionally, the state plans to fill 15,000 vacant teaching posts across schools and colleges to address staff shortages and improve education quality.
Investments in Infrastructure and Student Support
The budget also includes investments to improve infrastructure in government schools. These include:
- ₹565 crore for classrooms and repairs
- ₹75 crore for building toilets
- ₹25 crore for school furniture
- ₹125 crore for maintenance of schools and pre-university colleges
The government also plans to appoint mental health counsellors at 204 Block Resource Centres to support students’ psychological well-being.
Focus on Digital Learning and Technology
Alongside the social media restrictions, the state is also expanding digital learning initiatives. In collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Karnataka plans to introduce an AI-based personalised digital tutor for more than 12 lakh students in Classes 8–12. The initiative aims to enhance learning through technology while maintaining safeguards around digital usage.
The government also announced new courses in high-demand fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Mining Engineering, and Automation Engineering in technical institutions.
First-of-Its-Kind Move in India
If implemented, Karnataka will become the first Indian state to impose an age-based restriction on social media usage for minors. The proposal reflects growing global concern about the impact of digital platforms on children and teenagers.
However, details regarding how the ban will be enforced or when it will come into effect have not yet been clarified.
Experts believe the policy could spark a broader national debate on regulating social media access for young users in India.