Karnataka to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a ban on social media access for children under 16 during his Budget speech on March 6, 2026. This makes Karnataka the first state in India to implement such a restriction, aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of mobile phone usage on children. The decision aligns with global trends, as countries like Australia have already enacted similar bans. Siddaramaiah's budget for the financial year 2026–27 totals ₹4.48 lakh crore, including technology-driven learning initiatives and regulatory measures to protect children online. The government plans to introduce an AI-based learning system for 1.22 million students and expand the Karnataka Public Schools system, among other educational reforms. The budget also addresses staffing shortages in higher education and proposes various social welfare measures.
Published 15 hours ago • 06 Mar 2026, 02:33 PM IST