Global Crackdown: Karnataka and Australia Implement Under-16 Social Media Bans as Tech Giants Roll Out New Safeguards

As governments move toward legal prohibitions, artificial intelligence leaders are introducing their own internal controls.

RMN News Technology Desk
New Delhi | March 6, 2026

NEW DELHI — In a major shift toward tighter digital regulation, the Indian state of Karnataka and the nation of Australia have announced strict new measures to ban social media access for children under the age of 16. These moves reflect an intensifying global effort to protect young users from the psychological and safety risks associated with digital platforms.

Legislative Action in Karnataka and Australia

On March 6, 2026, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah integrated the state-wide ban into the 2026–27 state Budget. The decision followed warnings from health experts and university officials regarding smartphone addiction, excessive screen exposure, and online safety.

Similarly, Australia is set to fully implement its mandate announced in 2025. Despite opposition from tech giants like Meta, TikTok, and Snap Inc., an Australian government-backed Age Assurance Technology Trial concluded that there are “no significant technological barriers” to establishing robust and private age verification.

AI Industry Responds with Behavioral Safeguards

As governments move toward legal prohibitions, artificial intelligence leaders are introducing their own internal controls. OpenAI has announced an age-prediction model for ChatGPT designed to identify accounts likely belonging to users under 18.

Rather than relying on self-reported birthdates, the system analyzes behavioral signals, including:

• Usage patterns over time.
• Active hours during the day.
• Account longevity.

OpenAI’s initiative aims to apply specific safeguards tailored to teens, who may differ from adults in risk perception and impulse control. Users flagged incorrectly can restore access through Persona, a secure service utilizing selfie-based identity checks.

A Growing Global Trend and Health Concerns

The actions in Karnataka and Australia are part of a broader international movement. France and Spain have already restricted smartphone use in schools, while the United Kingdom and Finland are considering similar age-based safeguards.

Policymakers are increasingly citing data from reports like India’s Economic Survey 2025–26, which links excessive social media use to several critical issues:

• Mental Health: Rising levels of anxiety and sleep deprivation.
• Development: Reduced attention spans and academic stress.
• Safety: Risks of online grooming by predators and cybersecurity threats like identity theft.

Challenges to Enforcement

Despite the momentum, experts warn that blanket bans may be difficult to enforce. There are concerns that strict prohibitions could drive minors toward unregulated platforms or VPNs, making their activity harder to monitor. As a result, many advocates are calling for a “middle path” that pairs age-based restrictions with digital literacy programs and enhanced parental controls to ensure long-term online safety.