Overview
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah invited vice-chancellors to assess restricting mobile phones and social media for those under 16, citing addiction, mental health, learning setbacks and drug exposure.
- Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said the plan is under serious study, with curbs inside classrooms discussed as a possible starting measure.
- IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge said stakeholder consultations are underway and pointed to a Meta-supported digital detox programme reaching roughly 300,000 students and 100,000 teachers.
- School associations and experts warned against a blanket ban, flagging homework and communication that rely on phones, enforcement and equity hurdles, and proposing SOP-based rules and educational-use exemptions.
- Karnataka’s review aligns with a wider policy shift, as Goa and Andhra Pradesh explore similar steps and Australia has already implemented age-based restrictions.