Karnataka has become the first state in India to ban social media use for children under 16, responding to growing concerns about young users’ exposure to unrestricted internet content and rising screen addiction. The state, home to Bengaluru and a major tech hub, joins global discussions already underway in countries like Australia, Britain, Denmark, and Greece, where age-based social media restrictions are being considered.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the move during his annual budget speech, emphasizing the goal of protecting children from the adverse effects of increasing mobile usage, though he did not specify when the ban will start. Karnataka has a population of 67.6 million, with less than a quarter under the age of 15, according to government surveys.
The decision comes as India remains one of the world’s largest social media markets, with over 750 million smartphones and a billion internet users. Bengaluru hosts global tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Dell, and Google, highlighting the state’s digital prominence. Neighboring states, including Goa and Andhra Pradesh, are exploring similar restrictions, and India’s chief economic adviser has urged the government to set age-based access limits to address digital addiction.
Some experts, however, caution that simple age restrictions may not be effective, as children can bypass limits using fake IDs, and advocate for education and tools to help families manage safe and healthy social media use.
