'Children Entering World They're Unprepared For': Why Karnataka Has Come Up With 'Digital Detox Bill'

Last Updated:March 24, 2026, 23:12 IST

State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said at the centre of "digital detox" policy is a clear shift – treating digital addiction not as a habit problem but a public health issue

Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said the state is stepping in with a digital well-being policy, not to ban gadgets but to pull children back from growing dependency.

As cyberbullying, online blackmail and screen addiction creep deeper into classrooms, Karnataka has come up with this ‘Digital Detox Draft Bill’, which was put together with NIMHANS, the Karnataka State Mental Health Authority and the education department.

Rao said the state government deliberated over the policy for months of consultations on how excessive screen use is reshaping young behaviour.

“Children are getting into a world they are not prepared for," Rao exclusively told News18. “We still don’t fully understand how deeply digital exposure is affecting them – mentally, emotionally, even physically."

He drew a direct line from devices to distress. “We are seeing anxiety, stress, behavioural changes. There is cyberbullying, there is blackmail. Children are forming connections and entering spaces they are not equipped to handle," he said.

WHAT IS IN THE ‘DIGITAL DETOX’ POLICY?

At the centre of the “digital detox" policy is a clear shift – treating digital addiction not as a habit problem, but as a public health issue.

Studies cited in the draft show nearly 25 percent of adolescents display signs of internet addiction, often accompanied by sleep disruption, anxiety and falling attention spans. The state government is now proposing a reset inside schools and homes – a one-hour cap on recreational screen time, internet cut-offs after 7 pm for younger users, and a “child plan" for mobile phones with restricted access including audio-only options.

The policy further proposes age-appropriate devices and operating systems that evolve with the child, alongside integrating digital literacy, online safety and responsible behaviour into school curricula. Classroom conversations around stress, anxiety, irritability and falling academic performance linked to screen overuse are part of the plan, along with lessons on privacy, cyberbullying and the mental health impact of excessive screen use.

‘BAN ALONE WON’T WORK’

But Rao is clear this is not just about rules. “Banning is one approach. Countries like Australia have tried it. Even here, there are discussions on restricting social media below 16," he said. “But banning alone won’t work. Access will still be found. The real issue is dependency."

He said that is where the state wants parents and schools to step in. “How do we educate children? How do parents get involved? That is critical," he added.

The minister said the policy pushes for mandatory sensitisation of teachers and parents, along with counselling systems and referral pathways to identify and support children showing signs of digital distress. Each school is expected to become a monitoring point, with proposed digital safety and wellness committees bringing together teachers, parents, students and even cybercrime officials.

He said early identification will be key. “If every school becomes part of this, it can bring a huge transformation," he added.

The policy remains in the draft stage and has been opened up for feedback from parents, educators and mental health professionals. The state government is yet to finalise the framework and is expected to coordinate across departments before rollout.

“We are dealing with something we are only beginning to understand," he added.

News india 'Children Entering World They're Unprepared For': Why Karnataka Has Come Up With 'Digital Detox Bill'

Read More