CM Siddaramaiah announced the proposal while presenting Karnataka’s Rs 4.48 lakh crore Budget for FY 2026–27.
If implemented, Karnataka could become the first Indian state to restrict social media access for minors under 16.
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions online, with supporters citing digital wellbeing and critics questioning enforcement.
Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, on Friday announced a proposal to restrict social media access to children aged below 16 in the state over rising concerns over excessive mobile phone use among young users. This announcement was made while presenting the state’s Rs 4.48 lakh crore budget for the financial year 2026–27. If implemented, this move will make Karnataka the first Indian state to introduce such restrictions on minors’ access to social media platforms.
As per Siddaramaiah, this proposed measure aims to protect children from the negative effects of uncontrolled digital exposure, including mental health concerns, poor sleep habits and online safety risks. The government believes that limiting social media access can help reduce digital addiction and encourage healthier technology habits.
“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,” stated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The proposal quickly sparked a debate online with parents sharing mixed reactions across social media platforms. Some people supported the idea, arguing that reducing screen time could benefit children and encourage more outdoor activity. Others questioned whether the restriction would be effective, suggesting that young users could easily bypass the rules by using virtual private networks (VPNs), fake ages, or family members’ devices.
The move comes amid the growing global discussions about regulating minors’ access to social media. Many countries have started examining the policies to address the impact of digital platforms on young users. Australia has already banned social media access for users below 16.
It must be noted that the state government has not yet provided a timeline for when the proposed restriction could take effect.
