Social IssuesScience_Tech
News 7 of 26

Karnataka Bans Social Media for Under-16s Under IT Act, Goa & AP Weigh Similar Restrictions

Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
06 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Under 16 years67.6 million population<25% under 15
Bodies:NITI Aayog
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a ban on social media for those under 16 during his budget speech, aiming to prevent adverse effects of mobile usage.

2.India is the world's second-biggest smartphone market and Meta's largest market, while Karnataka has a population of 67.6 million, with less than a quarter under 15.

3.This move follows Australia's global-first national ban and comes amid similar considerations in other Indian states like Goa and Andhra Pradesh, sparking a debate on the efficacy of age-based curbs.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Karnataka has become the first Indian state to announce a ban on social media usage for children below 16 years. This significant governance move, announced in the state budget, reflects growing global and domestic concerns about digital addiction and its impact on minors, setting a potential precedent for other states.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Age Limit for BanUnder 16 years
First Country to BanAustralia (December 2025)
Karnataka Population67.6 million (2025 NITI Aayog data)
Karnataka Pop. Under 15<25% (2019-20 Health Ministry Survey)
Other Indian States ConsideringGoa, Andhra Pradesh

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Age Limit for Ban: Under 16 years
  • ›First Country to Ban: Australia (December 2025)
  • ›Target this Data: Karnataka is the FIRST Indian state to announce this ban.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: NITI Aayog (provided the 2025 population data of 67.6 million).
  • ›Target this Global First: Australia was the first country to ban social media for children (December 2025).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which government think tank provided the 2025 population data for Karnataka mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news on social media bans:

1. Karnataka has announced a ban on social media usage for individuals under the age of 16.

2. Australia is the first country in the world to ban social media for children.

3. According to the article, more than 25% of Karnataka's population is under the age of 15.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the article, what is the approximate population of Karnataka according to the 2025 NITI Aayog presentation?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary criticism raised by activists and tech experts regarding age-based bans on social media, as mentioned in the article?

All 25 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Karnataka Bans HFSS Foods Near Schools Under FSS Act, 50-Metre Radius

Karnataka has banned the sale of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) foods within 50 metres of schools and colleges, effective from July 24, 2026, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This is a significant public health measure targeting childhood obesity and unhealthy eating habits, with implications for state-level governance, food safety regulations, and school health policies.

Polity Current Affairs

MahaRERA Strikes Down Builder's Unilateral Cancellation Clause, Orders Interest from Oct 2023 Under RERA Act

MahaRERA has declared illegal a contractual clause that allowed a builder to unilaterally cancel a flat allotment via Power of Attorney, reinforcing statutory safeguards under the RERA Act. The developer was ordered to pay interest for delayed possession from October 1, 2023. This ruling is a key example of regulatory protection for homebuyers and a must-know for exams covering RERA, consumer rights, and state-level governance.

Polity Current Affairs

Bombay HC Rules Community Health Volunteers Entitled to Minimum Wage Under 1948 Act

The Bombay High Court has ruled that community health volunteers working for the BMC are entitled to minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, rejecting the argument that their honorarium exempts them. This judgment strengthens labour rights for contractual and volunteer workers, an important topic for UPSC labour jurisprudence and social security.

Social Issues Current Affairs

Karnataka Announces 7.5% Reservation for Rural Govt School Students in Medical, Engineering Seats

Karnataka CM Shivakumar announced a 7.5% reservation for rural government school students in medical and engineering courses to improve access to professional higher education. Additionally, AI education from Class 6, a government AI university in Bengaluru, and an exam reform committee were announced. This is significant for social justice and education policy in state exams.

Polity Current Affairs

Karnataka Suspends Food Licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket for Selling Poisonous Datura

Karnataka's food safety department has suspended licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket for selling toxic Datura as a food product, posing serious public health risks. This action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 highlights regulatory gaps in e-commerce food sales and the vulnerability of online platforms to illegal products. For exams: testable data includes specific platforms, the poisonous substance, and legal framework.

Polity Current Affairs

Uttarakhand Waqf Board Proposes Revised Nikahnama Aligned with UCC; Interfaith Marriages under Special Marriage Act

Over 1.5 years after Uttarakhand implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the State Waqf Board has proposed a revised nikahnama to bring Muslim marriage registrations in line with the new law. The proposal bans conversions solely for marriage and mandates interfaith couples to register under the Special Marriage Act, marking a significant step in UCC implementation.

Polity Current Affairs

NEET UG 2026: NMC Adds 13,186 MBBS Seats to 1.4 Lakh Total; Karnataka Tops with 1,650

The NMC has approved 13,186 additional MBBS seats for NEET UG 2026, taking the total to 1,40,214. Karnataka gained the highest (1,650), while 7 states/UTs gained none—a ready Prelims data point and a Mains cue on regional imbalance in medical education.

Polity Current Affairs

Delhi Lakshmi Yojana: ₹5,100 Cr Budget, ₹2,500/Month Aid to Women via New Portal

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launched the online portal for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana on August 1, 2026, offering eligible women ₹2,500/month. With a ₹5,100 crore budget, the scheme fulfills a key BJP poll promise but includes strict eligibility exclusions and a lock-in component, making it a high-yield topic for welfare scheme-based questions in state and central exams.

Karnataka becomes 1st Indian state…, Current Affairs for Exams