Karnataka Chief Minister Proposes Social Media Ban for Kids Under 16
In a recent announcement, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, suggested on Friday that children younger than 16 should be prohibited from using social media. This proposal comes amid growing concerns about the addictive nature of these online platforms.
India, now the most populous country in the world, boasts around one billion internet users. This means that most major cities and about 95% of villages have access to the internet, according to the latest data from the government.
During a speech in the state legislature, Siddaramaiah emphasized the need for this ban to protect young people from the potential negative effects of increased mobile usage. However, he did not elaborate on any specific details or a timeline for implementing the ban.
In response to the proposal, the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), an advocacy group, warned that a complete ban on social media might be counterproductive. They pointed out that children could end up using unregulated and illegal platforms instead.
Additionally, Indian IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned last month that discussions are ongoing with social media companies about implementing age-based regulations.
