Karnataka plans law to limit mobile use for under-16 students
Bengaluru: Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Monday, March 23, said the government will bring a comprehensive framework to regulate mobile phone and social media usage among students below 16 years, acknowledging growing concerns over its impact on children. He was replying to the question raised by MLCs Pratap Nayak and Javare Gowda, who urged the government to take urgent and stringent measures, warning that mobile addiction among children has reached alarming levels. Replying during Question Hour in the Karnataka Legislative Council, the minister said that while restrictions already exist, enforcement has been weak and the government is now working on stronger guidelines in consultation with multiple stakeholders. “For the first time in India, our government has proposed in the Budget that mobile use should be banned for children below 16 years,” he said. He added that although laws prohibiting the use of mobile phones in schools are in pla...