Karnataka Considers Ban on Mobile Phone Use for Children Under 16 Amid Growing Addiction Concerns

Karnataka Government Considers Ban on Mobile Phone Usage for Minors

The Karnataka government is contemplating a ban on mobile phone usage for children under the age of 16, citing growing concerns over addiction, exposure to harmful content, and behavioral issues among minors. The proposal is under serious discussion, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inviting feedback from educators and experts on the effectiveness of such a restriction.

International Precedents

Several countries have already taken steps to restrict mobile phone or social media access for minors. European countries, including some in the UK, and Australia have implemented similar restrictions. Karnataka's deliberations come amid similar discussions across India, with the Goa government examining a proposal to restrict children under 16 from accessing social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and X.

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National Developments

At the national level, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that the Centre is holding consultations with social media companies on age-based regulations. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) requires platforms to obtain verifiable parental consent before processing the personal data of users below 18. While India does not currently impose a direct age ban on social media use, these provisions effectively limit how platforms can collect data or target advertisements at minors.

Global Developments

Globally, Australia has emerged as the first country to impose a social media ban for users under 16. France has passed similar legislation for children under 15, while countries such as Spain and the UK are actively debating comparable restrictions.

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