B’lureans on Karnataka’s first-in-India under-16 social media ban

From scrolling through reels after school to staying connected with friends, social media has become a ‘reel’ companion in the daily lives of many teenagers. But concerns around screen addiction, mental health and online safety are prompting policymakers to rethink its place in young lives as it has always been. On Friday, a social media ban for children under 16 was announced in the Karnataka state budget, sparking a debate among students, parents, teachers and experts on analysing the practicality of the move and whether such restrictions will safeguard young minds or simply shift the responsibility back to families and schools.