Karnataka govt weighs mobile phone ban for children below 16: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: The state government is considering a ban on mobile phone usage for children below the age of 16, citing rising concerns over addiction, exposure to harmful content and behavioural issues among minors, The New Indian Express reported on Monday.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah raised the issue during a meeting with vice-chancellors of state universities on Saturday. He sought their views on whether restricting mobile phone use among children under 16 could bring about positive behavioural changes.
He cited the examples of Australia and some European countries banning the use of social media for children and said the Karnataka government was seriously considering the implementation of the same in the state.
He expressed concern over growing social media addiction and its possible link to issues such as substance abuse among youngsters. He also asked the vice-chancellors to take steps to make their campuses drug-free.
The proposal comes at a time when smartphones have become deeply embedded in the education system, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to digital learning. Schools now rely on mobile phone-based platforms to share homework, study materials and announcements, making the gadgets both an essential academic tool and a growing source of concern for parents and educators.
Mental health professionals and educators have cautioned that an outright ban may be difficult to implement and could have unintended consequences.
Rakhi N. Gopan, a counselling psychologist, said that the impact of mobile usage varies across age groups. Younger children may face attention and cognitive issues due to fast-paced digital content, while teenagers are more vulnerable to social media pressures, online safety risks and algorithm-driven exposure.
Psychologist Saurabh Ramachandran, who works with adolescents, said many adolescents depend on digital devices for schoolwork, peer interaction and daily routines, and abrupt blocking of access may create a sense of loss, anxiety, irritation or secretive behaviour. He suggested that a phased regulation would help families and schools adapt while encouraging healthier digital habits.
Experts emphasised that excessive digital use is a systemic issue involving families, schools, policymakers and technology platforms, rather than a problem that children alone can be expected to solve. Imposing blanket rules without considering systemic realities such as schools sending homework via phones and parents’ limited ability to constantly monitor usage may not be effective, they said.
Instead, they recommend age-appropriate guidelines, digital literacy education and safer online environments. According to them, the goal should be to equip children with the skills to use technology responsibly while safeguarding their wellbeing.
“What we need instead is regulation, guidance and shared responsibility among parents, schools, policymakers and mental health professionals. Any regulation on phone usage should be brought in through a developmentally compatible policy to avoid a one-size-fits-all ban,” Rakhi said.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
