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Bengaluru, 6 March 2026: For the first time in India, a state government has taken a very strict and revolutionary step regarding digital addiction and mental health of children. The Karnataka government has announced a complete ban on the use of social media for children below 16 years of age in the state. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had made this historic announcement while presenting the state budget for the financial year 2026-27 on Friday.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said in the budget speech that the increasing use of mobile phones and social media in children is showing extremely adverse effects. Addiction to online gaming and social media is having negative impacts on children’s education, physical fitness and mental health. This serious issue was discussed in detail with academicians and experts in the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference held in Bengaluru last month, after which the government has reached this conclusion.

Along with the ban on social media, the government has also made big advertisements for the creative use of technology. A state-of-the-art robotics and AI campus will be set up by the AI ​​and Tech Park under IISc in collaboration with ISRO and Keonics. The government has adopted a strategy to balance public welfare programs with infrastructure and economic transformation.

The effect of this decision of Karnataka government can be seen in the entire country. How social media platforms will implement this ban and what role women will play in it will become clear in the coming days. Experts are calling this step extremely important for the all-round development of children.