Karnataka has announced a ban on social media access for children under 16, becoming the first Indian state to propose such a measure amid rising concerns over digital addiction and online safety.
The Karnataka government has proposed a major step aimed at protecting children from the harmful effects of excessive digital exposure by announcing a ban on social media use for children below the age of 16. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made the announcement during his state budget speech in the Karnataka Assembly, highlighting concerns about the increasing use of smartphones and social media platforms among young users.
According to the Chief Minister, the rapid growth in social media usage among children has raised serious concerns regarding its impact on their mental health, concentration and overall development. The state government believes that unrestricted access to social media platforms at a young age may lead to negative behavioural and psychological consequences.
With this announcement, Karnataka has become the first state in India to propose such a policy aimed at restricting social media access for minors. However, the Chief Minister clarified that the announcement currently remains a policy proposal and that detailed rules and mechanisms for implementation will be formulated in the coming months.
Officials are now working on the process through which the ban would be enforced. This includes developing systems for age verification, defining responsibilities for social media companies and creating regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with the proposed rules.
Implementation of social media restrictions linked to data protection laws
The proposed restriction on social media access for children under 16 is expected to be aligned with existing national legislation on data privacy and protection. In particular, the policy is connected with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and the Personal Data Protection Rules introduced in 2025.
These laws establish guidelines on how personal data, especially that of minors, should be collected, processed and protected by digital platforms and companies. Under the Digital Personal Data Protection framework, platforms must obtain consent from parents or legal guardians before collecting or using personal data belonging to children.
The Karnataka government plans to incorporate similar provisions into its policy while implementing the proposed social media restrictions. Platforms may be required to introduce stricter age verification systems to ensure that children below the specified age limit do not create or operate accounts without parental approval.
Age verification could involve government-recognised identification methods or digital identity systems such as Digital Locker services. These mechanisms would help confirm whether the individual granting consent is an adult guardian and not the minor user.
The policy announcement indicates that technology companies may be required to modify their platforms to comply with the new rules once they are finalized. This could involve removing accounts belonging to underage users, introducing verification procedures and implementing monitoring mechanisms.
In addition to addressing social media usage, the Karnataka government has also announced initiatives to tackle other issues affecting students, particularly substance abuse in educational institutions.
The state government stated in the budget speech that schools, colleges and universities play a vital role in shaping the physical and psychological well-being of students. In order to address the growing concern of drug abuse among young people, several preventive measures will be introduced.
These measures include awareness campaigns within educational institutions, stricter disciplinary frameworks and the establishment of counseling and support centers for students. The government aims to create an environment where students receive guidance and support while being protected from harmful influences.
Other states and countries exploring similar restrictions on social media access
Karnataka’s proposal has also triggered discussions in other states about the possibility of implementing similar measures. The government of Andhra Pradesh is reportedly considering a comparable restriction targeting younger users.
During a discussion in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the government had received suggestions to restrict social media access for children below the age of 13. According to Naidu, the proposal is currently under discussion and authorities are examining whether the appropriate age threshold should be 13 or 16.
He stated that the government aims to ensure that children under the selected age limit are prevented from accessing social media platforms within the next 90 days once a final decision is reached.
The discussion reflects a growing concern among policymakers about the impact of digital platforms on children’s mental health, online safety and exposure to harmful content.
Globally, several countries have begun exploring similar measures to regulate social media use among minors. One notable example is Australia, which introduced strict legislation aimed at protecting children from online risks.
In November 2024, the Australian government passed the Online Safety Amendment Bill. The legislation restricts children under the age of 16 from using major social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and X.
Under the Australian law, social media companies are required to actively identify and remove accounts belonging to underage users. Platforms must also introduce stronger age-verification systems to ensure compliance with the restrictions.
While the policy was introduced with the aim of improving online safety for children, it also sparked debates among experts and civil society groups. Critics raised concerns regarding potential impacts on digital rights, freedom of expression and the practical challenges involved in verifying users’ ages online.
The broader debate highlights the complex balance governments must strike between protecting children from online harm and preserving access to digital platforms that play an important role in communication, education and social interaction.
In India, discussions around social media regulation have gained momentum as digital access expands rapidly among younger users. With millions of children and teenagers using smartphones and social networking platforms daily, policymakers are increasingly examining how to ensure safer online environments.
Karnataka’s proposed ban is likely to become an important test case for such policies in the country. If implemented successfully, it could influence national discussions on digital governance, child protection and responsible use of technology.
The coming months will be crucial as the state government prepares detailed rules and consults with stakeholders including technology companies, educators, parents and legal experts. These consultations will determine how the proposed restrictions can be implemented effectively while maintaining compliance with existing data protection laws.
