Karnataka considers social media ban for kids under 16

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Friday, said the state government is planning to ban social media for children below the age of 16 during the state budget for 2026–27. “The ban is aimed at preventing the negative impact on children caused by increasing mobile phone usage,” Siddaramaiah said. While the government is yet to announce a clear plan on how the ban will be implemented, Harish Bijoor, brand expert, says it must evolve into a so cial movement. “As of now, it is merely a political announcement. It has to become a social movement. It should become fashionable for parents to say, ‘My child does not use social media,’ and for children to feel proud to say they don’t use it. Socie ty has to embrace the idea and improve upon it.


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