13–16 Saal Se Kam Umar Par Social Media Ban ! Do Rajyon Ke Faisle Ne Badhayi Charcha

Two southern Indian states, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, have announced plans to restrict the use of social media by minors, citing concerns about the growing impact of digital platforms on children. Under the proposed measures, children below the age of 13 in Andhra Pradesh and those under 16 in Karnataka may not be allowed to access social media platforms. If implemented, these states could become the first in India to introduce such restrictions specifically targeting underage users.

The announcement was made during the budget speech in the Karnataka Assembly by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who said the move is aimed at addressing the negative effects of excessive mobile phone and social media use among children. The government also plans to strengthen preventive measures in educational institutions, including the establishment of counselling centres in schools, colleges, and universities to address behavioural and mental health concerns.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the state government intends to frame and implement the necessary rules within 90 days to ensure that children below 13 years of age do not use social media platforms. While the exact mechanism for enforcing the restrictions is yet to be clarified, the proposal has sparked wider discussions on balancing children’s digital safety with access to online platforms that are increasingly integrated into learning, communication, and everyday life.