Karnataka Proposes Ban on Social Media Use for Children Under 16 in State Budget

Karnataka Government Proposes Ban on Social Media Use by Children Under 16

The Karnataka government has proposed a ban on social media use by children below the age of 16, citing growing concerns over the harmful effects of excessive mobile phone usage among young users. The proposal was announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his budget speech for the 2026–27 financial year.

According to the State’s budget document, the proposed measure aims to protect children from the negative consequences associated with increased exposure to mobile phones and social media platforms. The government emphasised that the move is intended to safeguard the mental health and overall well-being of minors.

The document stated that the government intends to prevent the adverse effects of rising mobile usage among children. It specifically noted that social media usage would be banned for individuals below 16 years of age as part of this effort.

The proposal also interacts with the broader national legal framework governing digital data and child protection online. India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), already provides specific rules for handling the personal data of children.

Under Section 9 of the DPDP Act, companies or platforms that process personal data, known as data fiduciaries, must obtain verifiable consent from a parent or lawful guardian before collecting or processing a child’s personal information.

In addition, the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 outline detailed requirements for obtaining such consent. Rule 10 of these Rules mandates that platforms adopt appropriate technical and organisational measures to verify parental consent before allowing the processing of a child’s personal data.

The Rules also require platforms to confirm that the person providing consent is an identifiable adult. This verification may rely on reliable identity credentials issued through authorised systems such as government-recognised identity services or Digital Locker facilities.

Currently, the central framework focuses on parental consent and safeguards related to data processing for minors. Social media platforms are therefore expected to implement age-verification mechanisms and parental consent systems before permitting children to create accounts.

The Karnataka government’s proposal appears to go a step further by introducing a stricter age-based restriction. Instead of merely regulating data processing through parental consent, the State intends to prohibit social media use altogether for those below 16 years.

Alongside this proposal, the State government also addressed concerns related to student welfare within educational institutions. The budget speech emphasised that schools, colleges and universities play a crucial role in shaping the health, character and future of students.

As part of broader measures aimed at student well-being, the government announced that it will take strong steps to tackle drug abuse on campuses. These measures include awareness initiatives, educational programmes, stricter disciplinary mechanisms and the establishment of dedicated support and counselling centres.

At present, the budget announcement reflects the government’s policy intent rather than a fully operational regulation. Detailed rules and procedures will need to be framed to implement the proposal effectively.

The State government is expected to outline mechanisms for age verification, enforcement responsibilities and compliance obligations for social media platforms once the detailed regulatory framework is finalised.