Government Schemes and Policy · 23 February 2026

Karnataka government mulls social media and mobile phone ban for children under 16

Exam-focused facts from the 23 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought views from vice chancellors on banning social media and mobile phones for children below 16 years during an interaction at the Karnataka State Higher Education Council.
  • The proposal cites Australia and other Western countries that have implemented similar bans to curb gadget overuse affecting learning, behaviour, and mental health.
  • Some vice chancellors noted that elite private schools assign homework via mobile phones, while the CM emphasised protecting government school students from being misled.
  • IT Minister Priyanka Kharge had earlier stated in the Assembly that the government is considering a ban on social media for minors.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

Goa considers social media ban for users under 16

Goa’s Minister for Information Technology, Rohan Khaunte, announced on 26 January that the state government is studying the Australian model to ban social media for children below 16. The proposed ban would target…