Andhra Pradesh Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 13 Within 90 Days
In a significant move aimed at protecting young minds, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu declared on Friday that social media platforms will be prohibited for children below the age of 13 within the next 90 days. Addressing the state assembly, Naidu emphasized the government's commitment to implementing this restriction swiftly to shield minors from potential online harms.
Government Debates Extending Ban to Teenagers Aged 13-16
The chief minister revealed that authorities are actively debating whether to extend the social media prohibition to include teenagers between 13 and 16 years of age. "Definitely, we will make sure that within 90 days those below 13 years of age are not able to use social media," Naidu stated firmly. He added that a decision regarding the older age group would be taken soon, reflecting ongoing concerns about the impact of digital platforms on adolescent development.
Karnataka Proposes Similar Restriction for Children Under 16
Coinciding with Andhra Pradesh's announcement, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed a parallel social media ban while presenting the state budget for 2026–27 at Vidhana Soudha. During his budget speech, Siddaramaiah outlined plans to prohibit social media access for children under 16, citing the need to prevent adverse effects from increasing mobile phone usage among youth. This proposal highlights a growing trend among Indian states to regulate children's digital exposure.
Karnataka's Budget Focuses on Technology and Infrastructure
Beyond the social media restrictions, Siddaramaiah's budget presentation included several major technology and infrastructure initiatives. He announced the establishment of an AI and Technology Park under the Indian Institute of Science, which will feature a robotics and artificial intelligence campus named the "Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone." This project will be developed in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited.
On the infrastructure front, the Karnataka government approved two major corridor projects in Bengaluru:
- The North–South Corridor stretching from Hebbal Junction to HSR Layout–Silk Board Junction
- The East–West Corridor extending from K. R. Puram to Mysore Road
Together covering 40 kilometers, these projects are estimated to cost Rs 40,000 crore under the BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) model. In the initial phase, tenders have been invited for the 17-kilometer North–South Corridor project at ₹17,780 crore.
Additionally, Siddaramaiah announced that the Bangalore Development Authority will construct a tunnel road and an elevated road between Hebbal Junction and Mekhri Circle at an estimated cost of Rs 2,250 crore. The overall Karnataka state budget has been pegged at Rs 4,48,004 crore, with a clear focus on technology-driven growth, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability.
Growing Concerns Over Children's Social Media Use
The announcements from both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka come amid increasing national and global concerns about the effects of social media on children's mental health, privacy, and overall well-being. While Andhra Pradesh has set a concrete 90-day timeline for implementing the ban for under-13s, Karnataka's proposal for under-16s indicates a potentially broader approach. These measures reflect state governments' efforts to balance technological advancement with protective regulations for younger citizens.
