Karnataka Bans Social Media for Kids Under 16

The southern Indian state of Karnataka has announced a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, becoming the first state in India to take such a step. The move aims to reduce digital addiction among minors and protect them from harmful online content.

The announcement was made on March 6 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his annual budget speech. He said the government decided to introduce the restriction to protect children from the negative effects of increasing mobile phone usage.

“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,” Siddaramaiah said. However, the government has not yet announced when the ban will come into effect.

Rising concerns over children’s digital habits

The decision comes amid growing global concern about children spending too much time on social media platforms and having unrestricted access to the internet. Experts warn that excessive online activity can lead to addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to harmful content.

The debate over children’s social media usage has intensified worldwide. In December 2025, Australia became the first country to ban social media access for children.

Other countries such as United Kingdom, Denmark and Greece are also examining similar measures to regulate minors’ online activity.

India’s huge social media market

India is one of the largest social media markets in the world. The country has around 750 million smartphones and about one billion internet users.

For tech giant Meta, India is its biggest market globally with the highest number of users on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

According to a 2019–20 survey by India’s Federal Health Ministry, less than one-quarter of Karnataka’s population is under the age of 15. The state has a population of about 67.6 million, according to a 2025 presentation by the government think tank NITI Aayog.

Other Indian states considering similar laws

The move by Karnataka could encourage other Indian states to consider similar rules. The neighbouring state Goa is also studying the possibility of introducing a social media ban for children.

In January, a lawmaker in Andhra Pradesh proposed a bill aimed at limiting social media access for minors.

India’s chief economic adviser has also suggested that the central government should create policies with age-based access limits to address what he described as “digital addiction”.

Experts suggest balanced approach

While many people support stricter rules, some activists and technology experts believe that outright bans may not be fully effective. They argue that children can bypass age restrictions using fake identification.

Instead, they recommend measures that help parents and children learn safe and healthy ways to use social media.

Karnataka’s decision is likely to fuel further debate in India about how governments, parents, and technology companies should regulate children’s online activities in the digital age.