No More Social Media for U-16 Kids: AP and Karnataka Moving Sharp!

The South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana doing something very important with regard to the social media usage for kids under 16 and we have a significant update on the same. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a major step to protect children from the negative impact of excessive mobile phone and social media use.

During his Budget speech, he said the Karnataka government is planning to ban the use of social media for children under the age of 16. The move is aimed at reducing the growing influence of smartphones and online platforms on young minds.

According to the Chief Minister, increasing mobile phone usage among children has raised serious concerns among parents, teachers, and mental health experts. Studies have suggested that excessive social media use can affect children’s concentration, sleep patterns, and emotional well being. The government believes that limiting access at a young age could help children focus more on studies, physical activities, and healthy social interactions.

Meanwhile, a similar discussion has also emerged in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu recently indicated that the state government is considering restrictions on social media usage for children below the age of 13. The proposal is being discussed as part of efforts to address the impact of digital addiction among young users.

Both states appear to be moving towards stricter regulations to protect children from the potential harms of uncontrolled internet access. With smartphones becoming common even among school going children, policymakers are increasingly looking at ways to regulate digital exposure at an early age.

If implemented, these measures could spark a wider national debate on how India should manage children’s access to social media and online platforms.