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

As the Karnataka government weighs the pros and cons of restricting mobile phone use by children under 16, the proposal has raised questions about what exactly could be restricted, how it could be enforced and whether the “blanket” ban would be disadvantageous to certain groups of students.

While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed concern over increasing screen addiction, experts and parents are divided on whether banning, regulating or guided use would be the more practical way to go.

Students Hindu interactants acknowledged that mobile phones were deeply involved in their learning processes. “Timetables and daily notes are often shared in groups. In class, teachers explain concepts but notes and materials are sent via WhatsApp,” said Maithali Kumari, a class 6 student of a private school in Cambridge Layout in Halasuru. He added that teachers often share YouTube links to better explain topics, making phone access almost inevitable for academic purposes.

Some students said they strongly opposed the idea of ​​a blanket ban, arguing that the internet plays an important role not only in learning but also in “self-expression”.

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

Parents voice their concerns

However, parents highlighted that school-related phone-based attendance increased significantly following the Covid-19 pandemic when online lessons were introduced and has continued ever since.

Guru Reddy, a parent of a 13-year-old boy, argued that the government should first formulate clear guidelines in consultation with schools as schools integrate phones into routine communication. He pointed out that teachers create messaging groups for their lessons and updates, leading students to demand personal cell phones.

“In many cases, children are exposed to content that affects their health. They become addicted to games and spend most of their time on the phone,” he said. He added that schools distribute everything from attendance updates to assignments, leave to events, through WhatsApp groups. “Even after school hours, this constant stream of updates is not necessary. Children need time to focus on other skills and activities,” he said.

Beyond a ban

Development educator Niranjanaradhya VP said if the government is considering a “ban” on mobile phones, there must first be clarity on what will be restricted, for how long and for what reason. He emphasized that such a move requires conscious deliberation rather than an immediate reaction.

Mr. Niranjanaradhya, who was part of the committee that submitted its recommendations to the Prime Minister, said the key recommendation was to constitute a high-level committee that would examine the issue from many angles.

He underlined that the use of technology will increase and that a decision taken alone could widen the urban-rural divide. He pointed out that while children in cities have access to laptops and tablets at home, many students in rural areas depend solely on mobile phones to access digital content. A blanket ban could disproportionately affect people who already have limited access to technology.

Manoj Sharma, head of NIMHANS SHUT (Healthy Use of Technology Service) Clinic, said stakeholders need to understand “how much is too much” rather than viewing technology as inherently harmful. With proper guidance and boundaries, technology can be used in healthy ways, he said.

Shashi Kumar D., general secretary, Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools (KAMS), Karnataka, called for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)-based approach that balances child protection with the realities of digital integration in education. He suggested the introduction of a government-regulated “Student Internet Package” that would only allow access to approved educational websites during school hours.