Karnataka Considers Social Media Restrictions for Minors Amid Health Concerns
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The Karnataka government is exploring ways to regulate children's access to social media, citing growing concerns over the impact of digital content on minors. State minister Priyank Kharge mentioned that the state has already launched an initiative to moderate students' digital habits and has partnered with tech giant Meta for a 'digital detox' program involving 300,000 students and 100,000 teachers. The move comes as other states, including Andhra Pradesh and Goa, also consider restricting minors' access to social media. The Economic Survey 2025-26 has also recommended age-based restrictions on digital platforms, warning that compulsive screen use among young people is imposing significant economic and social costs on the country. Several countries, including Australia, France, and Denmark, have already implemented or are considering laws to restrict children's access to social media. In Australia, a national law bans social media use for children under 16, while France has approved legislation barring children under 15 from accessing social media. Senior BJP legislator S Suresh Kumar initiated the discussion in the Karnataka assembly, highlighting the need for safeguards to limit children's access to social media, which he believes is affecting children and families. The issue is expected to transcend party divisions, with the government considering various measures to address the growing concerns over digital content and its impact on minors.
