Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 Approved in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

Two southern states - Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh - have moved toward stricter digital safety measures by approving plans to restrict social media use for children below the age of 16, citing growing concerns about mental health, academic performance and online safety.

The proposal in Karnataka was announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the presentation of the 2026-27 state budget in the Assembly at Vidhana Soudha. The government believes that limiting social media exposure for school students could help reduce screen addiction and prevent children from accessing harmful online content.

Karnataka's proposal linked to student wellbeing

While outlining the state's financial roadmap, Siddaramaiah said the government is studying ways to curb social media usage among children under 16 as part of a broader effort to protect young people from excessive screen time.

The move follows consultations held earlier with academic leaders at the Karnataka State Higher Education Council. During the discussions, the chief minister asked vice chancellors and education experts whether restrictions on mobile phones or social media for younger students would help address rising concerns about distraction, behavioural issues and mental health.

Officials noted that many students, particularly in government schools, could be more vulnerable to misinformation or harmful content circulating on digital platforms.

Andhra Pradesh also backs similar restrictions

A similar stance has been taken in Andhra Pradesh, where IT and education minister Nara Lokesh said the state government is examining stronger rules to regulate social media access for children.

According to Lokesh, younger users often lack the maturity to process certain types of online information, making them vulnerable to misinformation, cyberbullying and inappropriate content. The Andhra Pradesh government has formed a group of ministers to review current social media regulations and recommend policy measures to protect minors.

The committee will examine issues such as online abuse targeting women and children, fake news, and digital addiction before drafting a policy framework.

Wider debate on social media limits for minors

The discussion on restricting social media access for minors is gaining momentum across India and globally. Several policymakers argue that children are spending increasing hours on smartphones, which may affect concentration, sleep patterns and emotional wellbeing.

Some education experts support age restrictions but warn that digital platforms are also widely used for learning, with many schools sharing homework, assignments and study material through mobile apps.

As Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh move forward with their proposals, the final policies are expected to emerge after consultations with educators, parents, technology companies and child welfare experts.

Balancing digital growth with child safety

Both states are simultaneously pushing strong technology-driven development while exploring safeguards for younger users. Karnataka, for example, has announced plans for a new robotics and artificial intelligence innovation zone in Bengaluru as part of its technology expansion strategy.

The emerging policies indicate that governments are increasingly trying to balance digital innovation with stronger oversight of how children interact with online platforms, especially as smartphone access among students continues to rise across India.