Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty has called for serious deliberations on the rising social media addiction among students.
Many nations across the world and other States in the country are going ahead with framing laws to curb children’s social media use. Such discussions are very relevant in Kerala, which leads in Internet literacy and mobile use, the Minister said in a statement here on Tuesday.
The Minister noted that the increasing screen time was having an adverse impact on children’s physical and mental growth and their social interactions. A generation with digital addiction was a challenge to the State’s development.
The government did not intend to completely prevent Internet use. The focus instead was on how to make its judicious use possible. The government wanted widespread public discussion on aspects such as whether there should be a law to regulate social media use among children and if any possibility for such a law existed or whether awareness campaigns should be conducted among parents and children. An amount of ₹15 crore has been earmarked for the scheme in the Budget.
‘Suggest names’
The Minister also directed that the public, including students, be given an opportunity to suggest names for the newly announced comprehensive accident/life insurance scheme for school students in Classes I to XII in government, aided, and government-approved schools following the State syllabus.
The Minister said steps had been taken to roll out the scheme at the earliest.
A meeting of officials of the General Education department, chaired by the Minister, decided to expedite steps to dispose of pending files in department offices.
No backbenchers
Steps would also be taken to have classrooms without backbenchers in schools where facilities for it existed and in yet-to-be completed school buildings.
The Minister said the Public Works department would be asked to make provisions for fans in all classrooms and air-conditioning in important rooms while preparing plans for new structures. Lifts in structures over three storeys tall and ramps for the differently abled would also be included in plans.
It would also be ensured that students were able to enjoy the holidays allowed to them without any hurdles.
Published – February 03, 2026 09:02 pm IST
