No Social Media For Under 16: Karnataka Likely To Introduce Major Ban
Siddaramaiah announced that the Government of Karnataka is planning to ban social media for children below the age of 16.
The announcement was made on Friday while presenting the Karnataka state budget for the financial year 2026–27 in Bengaluru.
According to the chief minister, the proposed ban is intended to reduce the negative impact of increasing mobile phone and social media usage among children.
“Social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile usage,” Siddaramaiah said during his budget speech.
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The proposal comes amid growing concerns about the influence of social media on young users, including issues related to mental health, addiction and online safety.
During the presentation of his 17th state budget, Siddaramaiah also highlighted Karnataka’s focus on technology and innovation. He announced plans to set up a new robotics and artificial intelligence campus called the Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಬಜೆಟ್ 2026-27
“ಸರ್ವರ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣ, ಅವಕಾಶಗಳ ಅನಾವರಣ, ನವ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ”“ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕರ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಾಶಸ್ತ್ಯ”
• ಕಟ್ಟಡ ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕರ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣವನ್ನು ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹಿಸಲು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಕಟ್ಟಡ ಮತ್ತು ಇತರೆ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕರ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಮಂಡಳಿಯ ವತಿಯಿಂದ ರೂ.600 ಕೋಟಿ ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ 10 ಜಿಟಿಟಿಸಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 6, 2026
The project will be developed in collaboration with leading institutions such as Indian Space Research Organisation and Indian Institute of Science. The initiative aims to strengthen Bengaluru’s position as a global technology hub.
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The chief minister also revealed that the total state budget for 2026–27 has been estimated at ₹4,48,004 crore. The budget focuses on technology-driven growth, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.
Other key announcements include setting up artificial intelligence centres of excellence in partnership with NASSCOM and launching major projects to tackle urban flooding in Bengaluru.
