Karnataka’s Proposal to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16:
Karnataka Chief Minister announced in the 2026–27 Karnataka State Budget that the state plans to ban social media use for children below 16 years.The Karnataka government has proposed a policy restriction on access to social media platforms for children below the age of 16. The initiative seeks to protect minors from digital addiction, cyberbullying, misinformation exposure, and mental health issues linked to excessive online engagement.Children below 16 years will be prohibited from accessing social media platforms under the proposed regulation.The policy is intended to mitigate psychological harm, online harassment, and screen addiction among minors.The move may involve age-verification mechanisms and regulatory guidelines for digital platforms operating in the state.The proposal accompanies broader initiatives to strengthen technology governance and responsible digital use.
