Can a ban solve Karnataka’s under-16 phone problem?
Several students say they are strongly opposed to the idea of a blanket ban, arguing that the internet plays a significant role not only in their learning but also in ‘self-expression’.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
As the Karnataka government weighs the pros and cons of restricting mobile phone use for children under 16, the proposal has raised questions about what exactly could be restricted, how it could be enforced, and whether a “blanket” ban could prove disadvantageous to certain groups of students.
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has flagged concerns over rising screen dependency, experts and parents remain divided on whether prohibition, regulation or guided usage would be the more practical path forward.
Published – February 23, 2026 10:28 pm IST
