India’s tech state Karnataka bans social media for children under 16

India’s tech state Karnataka bans social media for children under 16

March 6, 2026   12:27 pm

The southern Indian state of Karnataka, home to the tech hub of Bengaluru, has banned the use of social media by those under ⁠the age of 16, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday, becoming the first in India to do so.

“With the objective of preventing adverse effects ⁠of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned ⁠for children under the age of 16,” Siddaramaiah, who ⁠uses only one name, said in his ⁠budget speech.

Source: Reuters

--Agencies

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