Karnataka Govt Mulls Policy On Social Media Restriction For Children, Responsible Use Of AI

Last Updated:January 31, 2026, 12:00 IST

The Karnataka government said it is discussing possible restrictions and awareness measures on children’s social-media use and responsible AI use.

An AI-image to represent restriction to social media (News18)

The Karnataka government on Friday said it is discussing the possibility of restricting children’s access to social media platforms and framing measures for the responsible use of artificial intelligence, citing growing risks linked to minors’ online exposure.

The issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly by senior BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar, who urged the government to initiate concrete steps to protect children.

Responding in the House, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), IT and BT Priyank Kharge described the concerns as grave and said the matter was under active consideration.

“The issue raised by the senior leader is very serious. Finland has made a decision, the UK is also considering similar measures, and Australia took a call two months ago by banning social media exposure for children. We are also discussing what needs to be done in terms of the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence and social media. The matter is under discussion," he said.

Kharge added that the state was already undertaking awareness initiatives to address online risks.

He told the Assembly that the department, in collaboration with Meta, had launched a digital detox programme.

“Close to three lakh children and about one lakh teachers are participating in the programme. This is a very important issue, and I am conveying what the government is currently doing," he said.

Earlier, Suresh Kumar had drawn attention to decisions taken abroad and within the country to curb minors’ exposure to social media.

Referring to Australia’s move to restrict access for children below 16, he warned that young users were encountering explicit material far too early.

“Children are being exposed to pornographic content even before they become adults. This is a very serious matter."

“We must introduce some measures. Otherwise, I do not know what will happen to our schools and families. A report on this issue has also been submitted to the Central government," he said.

The BJP leader also pointed to steps taken by the Goa government and appealed for bipartisan consensus on the matter.

“We are losing children because of premature exposure to social media. The state of Goa has also taken certain steps. We may not be able to control it completely, but we must take some measures," he said, urging lawmakers to rise above political differences.

Kumar went on to criticise what he described as excessive partisan sparring in the House, saying issues affecting ordinary citizens often failed to receive adequate attention.

Referring to the Vidhana Soudha, he remarked, “A common man passing in front of the Vidhana Soudha will wonder whether there will ever be discussions about him."

He added, “It is a serious question whether the common citizen is the subject of debate here. The government gets the Governor to address the House as ‘my government’. If genuine governance is delivered, the common man will say it is ‘my government’. Until then, the system becomes meaningless."

Raising another issue, Suresh Kumar referred to the recent stampede tragedy in Bengaluru that claimed 11 lives and questioned the status of the commission appointed after deliberations in the Assembly.

“What are the findings? Who has been held responsible?" he asked.

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