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Andhra Pradesh plans social media ban for children under 13

The government of Andhra Pradesh has announced plans to restrict social media access for children under the age of 13, citing concerns over the growing impact of excessive digital exposure on young users. The announcement was made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who said the proposed ban will be implemented in phases over the next 90 days.

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the state government to address the potential risks associated with early and unsupervised social media usage among children. Authorities are also examining whether the restriction should be expanded to include teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16, although a final decision on that proposal will be made after further consultations and policy review.

Similar Move Proposed in Karnataka

The development comes shortly after a similar proposal by the government of Karnataka, where officials have suggested banning social media access for children under 16. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the proposal while presenting the state’s budget for the 2026–27 financial year.

According to the Karnataka government, the proposed measure is aimed at reducing the harmful effects linked to rising smartphone and internet usage among children. Officials believe that limiting access to social media platforms could help protect younger users from issues such as online addiction, exposure to harmful content, and the negative psychological effects associated with excessive screen time.

Education and Welfare Measures in Karnataka

Alongside the proposed social media restrictions, Karnataka’s budget also outlined several initiatives aimed at improving the state’s education infrastructure. The government plans to fill around 15,000 vacant teaching positions across schools and colleges in the coming fiscal year.

The budget has also allocated ₹565 crore for constructing new classrooms and repairing facilities in government schools, including primary schools, high schools, and pre-university colleges. Additionally, ₹75 crore has been set aside for building toilets in educational institutions, while ₹25 crore will be used to procure furniture.

Another ₹125 crore has been earmarked for maintenance work in government schools and colleges across the state.

With both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka considering stricter regulations on children’s access to social media, policymakers appear increasingly focused on balancing digital access with the well-being and development of younger generations.