Karnataka Government Bans Social Media For Children Under 16: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while presenting the state budget for 2026-27 on Friday said the state government will ban social media for children below the age of 16 years, targeting the alarming rise in mobile phone dependency among youth. 

What did Siddaramaiah during the budget?

While presenting the 17th state budget, Siddaramaiah said that the decision to ban social media for children under the age of 16 is taken "to prevent adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children."

"AI and Tech park under IISC will set up a robotics and AI campus called Bangalore Robotics and AI innovation zone in collaboration with ISRO and Keonics. Social media will be banned for children under the age of 16."

Bengaluru: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah presents the State Budget at the Vidhana Soudha.

He says, "AI and Tech park under IISC will set up a robotics and AI campus called Bangalore Robotics and AI innovation zone in collaboration with ISRO and Keonics. Social media will be banned… pic.twitter.com/L8PeBDxySq

— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2026

What is the reason?

While explaining the reason of decision, the Karnataka Chief Minister said that the ban is aimed at preventing the negative impact of social media on children.

"Social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile usage. The ban is aimed at preventing the negative impact on children caused by increasing mobile phone usage," Siddaramaiah said.

Last month in the meeting of Vice-Chancellors (VC) conclave in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Chief Minister had also discussed this same issue and sought opinions of VCs.

In the meeting, the CM had raised concerns about addiction to mobile, online gaming, impact of social on academics and physical fitness of children.

What did Siddaramaiah say about tax revenues?

Siddaramaiah proposed a total outlay of Rs 4,48,004 crore for Karnataka's growth and development.

Siddaramaiah during the budget also said that the state remains at the forefront of the nation’s development and is among the largest contributors of tax revenues to the country.

"Our state is at the forefront in all sectors of the nation’s development; it is one of the key states that contributes the highest tax revenues," he said.