Can a ban solve Karnataka’s under-16 phone problem?

Experts and parents debate whether banning mobile phones for under-16s in Karnataka is practical or detrimental to students' learning.

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.

Students The Hindu interacted with acknowledged that mobile phones have become deeply embedded in their learning process. “Timetables and daily notes are usually shared in groups. In class, teachers explain concepts, but notes and materials are sent on WhatsApp,” said Maithali Kumari, a class 6 student from a private school in Cambridge Layout, Halasuru. She added that teachers often share YouTube links to further explain topics, making phone access almost unavoidable for academic purposes.

Several students said they were 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”.

Some also pointed out that social media has improved their confidence and communication skills. “I enjoy being online because it gives me a sense of freedom. I feel more comfortable expressing myself there. In school, there’s always some pressure to fit in,” said Deepak K., a class 8 student at a private school in Rajajinagar.

Parents, however, highlighted that phone-based engagement linked to schooling has increased significantly after the Covid-19 pandemic, when online classes were introduced, and has since continued.