Karnataka becomes first Indian state to ban social media for children below 16
Bengaluru, March 6, KNT: Karnataka has become the first state in India to ban the use of social media for children below the age of 16 years, citing growing concerns over digital addiction and its impact on the mental health and development of young people.
Officials said the move aims to address excessive mobile phone use among children and adolescents, particularly the increasing time spent on social media platforms, online gaming and video content.
The decision comes amid warnings highlighted in the Economic Survey 2025–26 regarding the rising problem of digital addiction and the psychological effects of prolonged screen exposure.
The survey noted that there is a complex relationship between digital connectivity and mental health outcomes, including suicide rates. According to the report, regions with stronger in-person social networks and community engagement tend to record lower suicide death rates.
The survey also suggested that policymakers may consider age based access limits to digital platforms as part of broader efforts to address the issue.
Recent studies cited in the report indicate that excessive social media use is linked to anxiety, depression, cyberbullying stress and lower self esteem, particularly among people aged between 15 and 24.
Experts say that constant exposure to digital content can affect attention span and cognitive development, as social media platforms are designed to encourage continuous engagement through rapid reward mechanisms.
A Harvard Health blog noted that platforms such as Instagram use sophisticated algorithms and visually engaging formats to keep users interacting with a near limitless stream of content.
Research also suggests that internet addiction may reduce attention span, working memory and decision making abilities among frequent users.
Dr Astik Joshi, Child, Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, said excessive screen time can lead to several physical and mental health issues among children.
“Excessive amounts of time spent staring at a screen are related to a number of health issues, both physically and mentally, including eye fatigue, poor posture, weight gain, difficulty sleeping and regulating emotions,” he said.
Experts note that while restrictions may help reduce exposure, long term solutions require broader digital literacy initiatives and parental involvement.
Dr Joshi said restricting children’s access to social media may support emotional development, but education about safe online behaviour and responsible use of digital tools is equally important.
The Economic Survey has recommended a range of interventions including cyber safety education, parental training on screen time management and greater accountability for online platforms hosting harmful content.
It also advocates the introduction of screen time literacy and digital wellness curriculum in schools to help young people better understand and manage their use of technology. [KNT]
