The Karnataka government has drafted a policy to deal with the growing mental health problems being caused by excessive screen time among school-going children. This comes in the wake of the announcement made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ban social media use for children younger than 16 years of age. Karnataka has become the first state to take a step in this direction.
The draft policy has been prepared in consultation with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka State Mental Health Authority, Department of Education, and NIMHANS. It has been prepared based on consultations held in October 2025 with over 70 stakeholders, including health professionals, educators, cybercrime authorities, and non-governmental organisations.
Rising concerns over digital addiction
The draft also points out that there are studies done in India that reveal that almost 25 per cent of adolescents show symptoms of internet addiction. They experience anxiety, sleep problems, and decreased performance in academics.
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“There is now an urgent need for teacher and parent training programmes focused on the early identification of digital overuse and related mental health concerns, as well as the promotion of healthy, balanced technology habits in both children and adults,” the draft policy states.
School-level interventions proposed
One of the recommendations made in the draft is to set up a Digital Safety and Wellness Committee in schools. The members of the committee are to be the principal, a counsellor, teachers, a student, and a cybercrime police officer.
Schools are also advised to limit screen time for recreational purposes to one hour daily, to incorporate digital literacy in the curriculum, and to have screen-free periods. They are also advised to keep records of students referred for counselling.
Guidelines for parents and verification measures
The draft urges schools to guide parents on managing screen exposure at home. Suggested measures include creating tech-free zones in bedrooms, dining areas, and vehicles, encouraging “digital fasting” periods, and turning off screens at least one hour before bedtime. Parents are also asked to model responsible digital behaviour.
To strengthen age verification, the policy proposes Aadhaar-enabled logins to prevent fake or multiple accounts.
Detox initiatives and teacher training
The committee has also recommended “offline Joy Days” or digital detox weeks each term, including ideas such as a Digital Detox Day on December 10 or a “No Technology November.” It further suggests reducing direct WhatsApp communication with students and returning to diary-based systems.
A one-day training programme by NIMHANS and the Health Department will equip teachers to identify warning signs like social withdrawal, mood changes, and reduced concentration. Educators will also be introduced to the “5C framework” of technology addiction: Craving, Control, Compulsion, Coping, and Consequences.
