Karnataka Proposes New Regulations on Mobile and Social Media Use for Minors

New Framework for Regulating Mobile Use Among Minors

On Monday, Karnataka's Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Madhu Bangarappa, announced plans to establish a framework aimed at regulating mobile phone and social media usage for individuals under 16 years of age.

During a session in the Legislative Council, Bangarappa acknowledged that while there are existing restrictions, their enforcement has been inadequate. He emphasized that the Congress-led government is currently developing more robust guidelines in collaboration with various stakeholders.

Responding to inquiries from legislators about mobile addiction among youth, the minister highlighted that this initiative marks the first time in India that a government has proposed a ban on mobile usage for children below 16 years in the state budget.

Earlier, on March 6, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealed that the government intends to prohibit social media access for minors, citing the need to shield children from the detrimental effects of excessive mobile and social media engagement.

While the Chief Minister did not specify when this ban would be implemented, it would make Karnataka the first state in India to enforce such a restriction.

Bangarappa pointed out that despite laws against mobile phone usage in schools, compliance has been lacking. He noted that some students continue to use their phones outside of school settings, indicating a lack of effective oversight. Although mobile devices can aid learning, they have also become conduits for harmful content.

The minister mentioned that the state government is working closely with the information technology department, which has set up a committee to review social media practices. Comprehensive guidelines are currently being formulated.

However, Bangarappa acknowledged that completely eliminating mobile phone usage among children is unrealistic. He stated, 'We will introduce legislation to impose restrictions,' and indicated that the proposal would be presented to the House in the next session following broader consultations.

He also noted that feedback would be gathered from parents, experts, and international organizations regarding children's online safety before finalizing the policy.

In December, Australia became the first nation to implement a social media ban for individuals under 16.

In India, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act mandates that data fiduciaries must obtain verifiable consent from a parent or legal guardian before processing a child's personal data.

Following the announcement of the social media ban for minors, the advocacy group Internet Freedom Foundation expressed concerns, stating that child safety online requires well-researched policies rather than impulsive prohibitions. They raised questions about whether implementing the ban would necessitate state legislation or age-verification systems, which could introduce new privacy risks for all users, including adults.

The group also inquired whether the ban would extend to educational and informational internet usage.