Karnataka Drafts Digital Wellness Policy

The India — Karnataka government, in collaboration with the India — National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, has unveiled a draft policy to address the growing concerns of excessive and unsafe digital technology use among students. The policy, highlighted by Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, aims to promote digital well-being, emotional resilience, and responsible technology use through a structured school-based framework. It proposes state-level guidelines, teacher training, curriculum integration of digital wellness, and the establishment of Digital Wellness Committees in schools. The policy also encourages parental involvement in enforcing screen-time rules and promoting offline activities. This initiative follows a previous proposal by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ban social media for children under 16.