In a historic move, Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 during the state’s 2026–27 Budget presentation. This decision is driven by growing concerns about smartphone addiction, online safety risks, and excessive screen exposure, which have become major issues for young users. Karnataka is now the first state in India to take a definitive stance on regulating children’s access to social media, with other states lik