The policy further recommended that all schools implement a set of ‘preventive, supportive and responsive strategies’ | Photo credit: File photo/AFP
The draft policy for “Responsible digital use among students”, released on Monday by the Department of Health and Welfare, recommends that parents set structured routines with clear rules for screen time and prioritize privacy, safety and open conversations with children about digital wellbeing.
He recommended that schools incorporate digital wellbeing and social media literacy into their curriculum, in addition to introducing special programs for digital detox and identifying early warning signs of mental health.
This policy has been designed in collaboration with the Karnataka State Mental Health Authority, NIMHANS and the Department of School Education through stakeholder engagement. It further recommended a set of “preventive, supportive and responsive strategies for all schools to implement”.
“Parents should facilitate more peer interactions and conversations without screens, invite friends to play offline, encourage role-play, group reading or drama at home, and model face-to-face communication,” the proposal states.
The Karnataka government has announced that it will introduce a policy to restrict the use of social media among children below the age of 16.
The aim of the draft policy is to “create a safe, balanced and psychologically healthy digital environment for students”.
“Parents should define screen time limits (according to age), mandatory screen-free time during meals, sleep and study periods, technology bans from all screens 1 hour before bedtime,” he advises parents, advocating the designation of digital-free zones such as the bedroom, dining table, kitchen, bathroom and motor vehicle where no family members use technology. “Decide a period of digital fasting where no family members use any devices,” the suggestion reads.
In the draft policy, it is schools’ responsibility: “Schools must integrate digital wellbeing and social media literacy into life skills, value education and ICT (information and communication technology) curricula. Lessons on responsible digital behaviour, privacy, online safety and balancing screen time should be taught regularly.”
Published – 23 March 2026 23:00 IST
