India's tech state Karnataka bans social media for children under 16

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the ban on Friday, making the state first in India to do so

The southern Indian state of Karnataka, home to the tech hub of Bengaluru, has banned the use of social media by those under the age of 16, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday, becoming the first in India to do so.

"With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16," Siddaramaiah, who uses only one name, said in his budget speech.