Karnataka Considers Restricting Mobile Use for Children Under 16

Category : State Published on: February 24 2026

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The Government of Karnataka is examining a proposal to restrict or ban mobile phone use for children below 16 years, citing concerns over digital addiction and harmful online content exposure.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah raised the issue in the State Assembly and during a meeting with university vice-chancellors, seeking expert input on limiting student access to mobile devices. He noted that several countries are adopting regulatory steps to address excessive digital exposure among minors.
BJP MLA Suresh Kumar highlighted concerns over children’s access to social media and explicit content, referring to restrictions introduced in Australia. IT Minister Priyank Kharge cited examples from Finland and the United Kingdom, along with recommendations from India’s Economic Survey on age-based online regulation.
The state, in collaboration with Meta Platforms, is running a digital detox programme covering over three lakh students and one lakh teachers. The move reflects a balanced approach combining regulation, awareness, and responsible AI governance to safeguard young users.