AP considers social media ban for minors following Karnataka

The Andhra Pradesh (AP) government is considering restrictions on social media access for children below 13 years of age. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu shared this update on Friday in the state Legislative Assembly in Andhra Pradesh. He said the Andhra Pradesh (AP) government has started preparing a policy to address the issue. According to him, the policy could be finalised within the next 90 days. Officials believe early exposure to social media can affect children’s behaviour and mental well-being. Therefore, the Andhra Pradesh government wants to create a safer digital environment for young users. The proposed policy may include guidelines to limit early access to social media platforms.

Moreover, the Chief Minister said the Andhra Pradesh government is also discussing possible rules for teenagers aged between 13 and 16. However, the state will take a final decision only after wider consultations. Experts, educators and parents may participate in these discussions. Naidu emphasised that protecting children from harmful online content is a priority for the Andhra Pradesh (AP) government. In addition, officials are concerned about rising screen time among students in Andhra Pradesh. For this reason, the state plans to promote healthier and more responsible internet use.

Karnataka’s move fuels the debate

Meanwhile, the debate gained momentum after neighbouring Karnataka announced a similar proposal. The Karnataka government plans to restrict social media use for minors under 16. The step has drawn national attention because it targets online activity among young users. Many experts believe such measures could reduce risks linked to excessive social media exposure. Therefore, the issue has started receiving wider policy attention across India.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made the announcement during his annual budget speech. He said the government wants to protect children from harmful effects of excessive mobile and internet use. Officials believe restrictions may help reduce digital addiction among minors. However, the state has not yet shared the timeline for implementing the proposal. Even so, the announcement has triggered discussions on regulating social media access for young users.

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AP among states reviewing social media curbs

In response, Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh reacted to the development. He posted a message on the social media platform X (Twitter). In the post, he said Karnataka is considering an idea that Andhra Pradesh had earlier proposed. According to him, such steps can help protect young minds from the darker side of the digital world. His remarks also highlighted the growing debate around digital safety for minors.

Furthermore, other states have started examining similar restrictions. For example, the government of Goa confirmed earlier this year that discussions on age-based limits are underway. In addition, India’s chief economic adviser has supported age-specific rules to tackle digital addiction. Experts believe such measures could help reduce excessive screen time among children. As a result, debates on regulating social media use for minors may grow in the coming months.

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