No social media for under-16s? Karnataka govt proposes ban; Andhra Pradesh, Goa weigh similar steps — what you need to know

BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced a proposal to ban social media for children under the age of 16 while presenting the state’s 2026–27 budget in the Assembly. Delivering the budget at Vidhana Soudha, the chief minister said the measure was aimed at reducing the harmful effects of excessive mobile phone use among children. He said the move was part of broader efforts to address concerns about the impact of digital platforms on young people’s learning, behaviour and mental health. The state budget has been pegged at Rs 4,48,004 crore, with a focus on technology-driven growth, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.

What prompted the proposal?

Earlier this month, Siddaramaiah sought the views of vice chancellors on imposing a ban on social media and mobile phones for children under 16. The discussion took place during a meeting with university leaders at the Karnataka State Higher Education Council. Citing examples from countries including Australia, which has considered similar measures, the chief minister asked academics for their opinion on whether children should be restricted from using mobile phones or social media platforms.

He said the overuse of gadgets was affecting the learning ability, behaviour and mental health of children. While several vice chancellors supported the proposal, some raised concerns that many private schools assign homework using mobile phones and digital platforms.Siddaramaiah responded that he was particularly concerned about students in government schools and said they should not be misled by excessive exposure to social media. During the previous assembly session, Karnataka’s IT minister Priyank Kharge had also said the government was considering a ban on social media use by minors.

Similar discussions in other states

Other states are also examining similar restrictions. In Andhra Pradesh, minister Nara Lokesh said the government was considering stricter regulations to limit social media access for children of a certain age. He said the move was important to protect children from unnecessary exposure to online content, adding that young users often “do not have the maturity levels to process information at their age”. The state has set up a group of ministers led by Lokesh to review existing laws governing social media and recommend measures to tackle misinformation, fake news and online abuse targeting women and children. In Goa, Information Technology minister Rohan Khaunte said the government was also examining the possibility of restricting social media use for children below 16. He said a task force comprising academics, parent-teacher groups, industry representatives and government officials would study the issue and propose a policy framework, citing concerns over digital addiction, cyberbullying and online safety risks.

Technology and infrastructure announcements

Alongside the proposed social media ban, the Karnataka government also announced several technology and infrastructure initiatives.Siddaramaiah said an AI and technology park would be set up under the Indian Institute of Science in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation and Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited. The facility will host a robotics and artificial intelligence campus called the “Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone”. He also announced two major urban mobility projects in Bengaluru — the North-South Corridor from Hebbal Junction to HSR Layout–Silk Board Junction and the East-West Corridor from KR Puram to Mysore Road — covering a combined length of about 40 kilometres. The projects have been approved at an estimated cost of ₹40,000 crore under the BOOT model, with tenders already invited for the first phase of the 17-km North-South Corridor project. In addition, a tunnel road and elevated road between Hebbal Junction and Mekhri Circle will be constructed by the Bangalore Development Authority at a cost of Rs 2,250 crore.