India, March 6 -- Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced a ban on the use of social media by those under 16 in the state, while presenting the budget, evoking a range of reactions from optimism to scepticism.

The CM said that the decision was aimed at preventing the adverse effects of social media on children.

"With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16," Siddaramaiah said while presenting the state Budget for 2026-27.

However, he did not elaborate on how this will be implemented.

Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16 in 2025, blocking access to platforms includin...