Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced plans to ban social media use for children under 16, making it the first Indian state to propose such a restriction if enacted.
Key details confirmed from the announcement:
- The proposal was announced as part of the Karnataka state budget
- The ban would apply to children below the age of 16
- The stated reasons include concerns over excessive screen time and online risks affecting minors
- Ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao and Priyank Kharge had previously flagged the growing impact of mobile phone and social media use on children’s health and behaviour
- Karnataka would become the first state in India to introduce this type of age-based restriction
The announcement is notable given Karnataka’s position as India’s primary tech hub — Bengaluru hosts the headquarters and major offices of some of the world’s largest technology companies and platforms that would fall directly under such a ban.
The proposal currently sits at the announcement stage within the budget address. No legislation has been tabled yet, and the mechanism for enforcement — including how platforms would verify user age — has not been detailed in the confirmed information available.
What to watch:
- Whether Karnataka moves to draft formal legislation following the budget announcement
- How the state plans to implement and enforce age verification across social media platforms
- Whether other Indian states follow with similar proposals if Karnataka proceeds