Karnataka Mulls Mobile Phone Ban for Children Under 16, Says CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is considering restricting mobile phone usage for children below 16 years of age, citing growing worries about digital addiction, exposure to harmful content and behavioural problems among minors.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah raised the issue during a meeting with vice-chancellors of state universities on Saturday, according to a report by The New Indian Express. He sought their opinions on whether limiting phone usage among children under 16 could help bring positive behavioural changes.

The Chief Minister referred to steps taken by countries such as Australia and several European nations that have imposed restrictions on social media access for children. He said Karnataka is seriously examining the possibility of introducing similar measures.

Expressing concern over increasing social media dependency among youngsters, Siddaramaiah also pointed to a possible connection between excessive online engagement and issues such as substance abuse. He urged university authorities to work towards making campuses drug-free.

However, the proposal comes at a time when smartphones have become deeply integrated into the education system, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital learning. Many schools now use mobile-based platforms to distribute homework, study materials and official announcements, making phones both an essential academic tool and a source of concern for parents and teachers.

Mental health experts and educators have cautioned that a blanket ban could be difficult to enforce and may lead to unintended consequences.

Rakhi N. Gopan, a counselling psychologist, noted that the impact of mobile phone use differs across age groups. Younger children may struggle with attention and cognitive development due to fast-paced digital content, while teenagers face risks linked to social media pressure, online safety threats and algorithm-driven exposure.

Psychologist Saurabh Ramachandran, who works closely with adolescents, said many teenagers rely on digital devices for studies, social interaction and daily routines. Abrupt restrictions, he warned, could trigger anxiety, frustration or secretive behaviour. He suggested a phased regulatory approach to help families and schools gradually adapt while promoting healthier digital habits.

Experts emphasised that excessive digital usage is a broader systemic issue involving families, schools, policymakers and technology platforms. They said that imposing strict rules without addressing realities such as phone-based homework and limited parental monitoring may not be effective.

Instead of an outright ban, specialists recommend age-specific guidelines, digital literacy education and creating safer online spaces. According to them, the focus should be on helping children use technology responsibly while protecting their mental and emotional wellbeing.