Social media ban for under-16s timely step

The Karnataka Govern-ment’s decision to ban social media use for children up to 16 years is a forward-looking step that can benefit both children and so-ciety. Excessive use of social media among young children has become a growing con- cern for parents and guard-ians. Reports indicate that sev-eral countries have already introduced regulations to control children’s access to the internet and social media. In India, however, discussions have largely remained con-fined to Parliament debates and television panels, with li- mited concrete action.

The rapid spread of inter- net access, once limited to de-fence, government administration and banks, has now reached very young users. Easy access to games and social media often dis- tracts children from aca-demics and reduces their engagement with structured learning. Unregulated usage can also influence behaviour, leading to reduced discipline and in-creased dependence on digi-tal platforms.

Many parents, due to busy schedules, find it difficult to monitor their children’s online activities ef- fectively. At the same time, parental guidance remains essential. Encouraging habits such as hard work, time manage- ment and responsible use of technology can help children develop in a balanced manner. Given the risks, a struc- tured regulatory approach is necessary. Extending such measures at the national level could help ensure healthier digital habits among children and support their overall de- velopment.