Karnataka drafts policy to curb students' screen time in schools

The Karnataka government on Wednesday released a draft policy to address digital usage among students through a school-based framework that prioritises mental health and cyber safety. The policy was prepared by the state department of health and family welfare, in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). With nearly one in four adolescents showing signs of problematic internet use, the policy recognises rising mental health issues such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, poor academic performance, and social isolation linked to excessive screen time. The health minister pointed to how mobile phone usage affects education and social life, noting concerns like anxiety, cyber-bullying, sleeplessness and reduced interpersonal interaction. Family members conversing less due to mobile use was also highlighted. The draft policy aims to integrate digital literacy, mental health awareness and cyber safety into school education, assigning roles to schools, teachers, parents, students and government systems. Digital wellness is to be incorporated into life skills and ICT curricula, covering social media literacy, ethical use of technology and cyber safety. Schools would be required to frame their own digital-use policies, including setting screen-time norms with recreational use capped at one hour per day, addressing cyber misconduct and ensuring access to counselling support. Teachers would be trained to identify early signs of digital distress and to guide students toward healthier technology practices. In Bengaluru and across the state, the initiative seeks to foster safer digital habits while addressing the pressures and distractions posed by online platforms.

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