Karnataka Moves to Ban Social Media for Kids Under 16

Karnataka's chief minister Siddaramaiah announced a proposal to ban social media use for children below the age of 16 in the state, framing it as a move to protect young people from online harms and distractions.\n\nThe plan has sparked a debate among educators and policymakers. Many in the education sector say stronger regulation of social media for minors is long overdue, while others warn the plan could backfire or be hard to enforce. The proposal, if implemented, could shift how families monitor screen time and push schools to emphasize digital literacy alongside traditional lessons.\n\nQuestions linger about how to verify ages, carve out exemptions for education or research, and ensure freedom of expression. Supporters argue it could curb cyberbullying and create safer online spaces; critics worry about access to information and the risk of driving minors to workarounds or alternative platforms.}\n\nOfficials say there will be further consultations and a framework before any rollout. The discussion mirrors global concerns about youth online safety, and observers will watch how Bengaluru approaches any forthcoming rules, should they move beyond discussion to policy action.

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