Karnataka seeks public feedback on draft policy for students’ digital use

The Karnataka Health Department has opened its draft policy on responsible digital use among students for public feedback, inviting objections and suggestions until April 15. The draft policy was released last week.

Prepared in collaboration with the NIMHANS and other stakeholders, the draft policy is aimed at tackling growing concerns over excessive and unsafe use of digital devices among schoolchildren. Students, parents, and the general public can submit their responses via email to dd6mhkar@gmail.com and ddehospital-hfws@karnataka.gov.in .

Addressing presspersons on Wednesday, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “The public is increasingly aware of the negative effects of mobile phones on health and education, including anxiety, cyberbullying, sleeplessness and social isolation. You may also notice that family members are speaking less with each other because of mobile phone use. It is disturbing our social structure.”

“While we have learnt how to use technology, we have not adequately understood its adverse effects, including digital addiction and its impact on the mind,” the Minister said, emphasising that the policy stresses training parents and teachers to help reduce excessive mobile phone use among children.

One in four

The draft highlights that nearly one in four adolescents shows signs of problematic internet use, linking excessive screen time to mental health concerns such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, poor academic performance, and social isolation, along with risks like cyberbullying and online exploitation.

At its core, the framework promotes digital well-being, emotional resilience, and responsible technology use. It proposes integrating digital literacy, mental health awareness, and cyber safety into the school curriculum, while adopting a preventive approach focused on early identification and intervention.

Training of teachers

“Schools will be required to frame their own digital use guidelines, including setting limits on recreational screen time – recommended at no more than one hour a day – addressing cyber misconduct, and ensuring access to counselling support. Teachers will be trained to identify early signs of digital distress and guide students to appropriate services,” the Minister said.

Recognising parents as key stakeholders, the policy urges them to enforce screen-time rules, create device-free spaces at home, and model responsible digital behaviour, while schools are expected to strengthen engagement with families, Mr. Rao said.