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New Delhi, January 29 — Digital addiction has emerged as a significant and growing public health concern among India’s children and young people, with troubling implications for mental health, academic performance, and social well-being, according to the Economic Survey 2025–26 tabled in Parliament this week by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Survey, an authoritative annual assessment of the country’s socio-economic landscape, flags excessive and unregulated digital use as a key contributor to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and declining social engagement among adolescents and young adults.
A government acknowledgment of a digital-era health challenge
The Survey’s findings mark one of the strongest official acknowledgments to date that India’s rapid digital expansion—while transformative for education, commerce, and governance—has also brought unintended health consequences. Citing national and international evidence, the document notes that digital addiction is closely linked to deteriorating mental health among youth, particularly those aged 15–24 years.
“Digital addiction negatively affects academic performance and workplace productivity due to distractions, sleep debt, and reduced focus. It also erodes social capital,” the Survey states, highlighting how excessive screen time can displace face-to-face relationships, physical activity, and restorative sleep.
India is home to one of the world’s largest populations of adolescents and young adults, with more than 250 million people between the ages of 10 and 24. This demographic dividend, experts say, could be undermined if mental health challenges driven by problematic technology use are not addressed early and systematically.
What the evidence shows: mental health, sleep, and social harms
The Survey points to a high prevalence of social media addiction among young people, linking it to anxiety, depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying-related stress. Behaviors such as compulsive scrolling, constant social comparison, and excessive online gaming are identified as particular risk factors.
These patterns are consistent with findings from peer-reviewed research. A large systematic review published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found that heavy social media use is associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety, especially among adolescents who already experience social vulnerability. Similarly, studies in JAMA Pediatrics have reported that screen use before bedtime disrupts circadian rhythms, contributing to chronic sleep deprivation—a known risk factor for mood disorders and impaired cognitive performance.
“Adolescence is a critical period for brain development,” said Dr. Shekhar Seshadri, former professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), who was not involved in drafting the Survey. “Excessive digital engagement can interfere with emotional regulation, impulse control, and real-world social learning, particularly when there are no boundaries or adult guidance.”
Academic and behavioral consequences
Beyond mental health diagnoses, the Survey highlights functional impacts that resonate with parents and educators: declining attention spans, reduced academic performance, irritability, aggression, and social withdrawal. Adolescents, the document notes, are especially vulnerable due to ongoing neurological development and heightened sensitivity to peer validation.
Teachers across urban and rural settings have increasingly reported classroom challenges linked to late-night device use, including daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating. International data support these observations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), insufficient sleep among adolescents is associated with poorer school outcomes and higher risk of emotional problems.
Government measures: from helplines to regulation
In response to the growing concern, the government has outlined a multi-pronged strategy. One of the most prominent initiatives is Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States), a national mental health helpline launched in October 2022. As of late 2025, the service has received over 3.2 million calls, underscoring both the scale of mental health needs and the demand for accessible support.
Specialized clinical services have also been developed. The Service for Healthy Use of Technology (SHUT) Clinic at NIMHANS in Bengaluru provides targeted care for excessive and compulsive technology use, with a focus on adolescents and young adults. Clinicians at the center report rising referrals for gaming disorder, a condition recognized by the WHO in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
On the regulatory front, the Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2025 aims to curb addictive design features and financial harms linked to online gaming platforms, particularly among minors. While public health experts have broadly welcomed the move, they caution that enforcement and industry cooperation will be critical to its success.
The role of schools and families
The Survey emphasizes that digital access cannot—and should not—be fully restricted, given its educational and economic importance. Instead, it calls for balanced, preventive approaches. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has already issued guidelines on safe internet use in schools and school buses, while the Ministry of Education’s Pragyatah framework provides guidance on age-appropriate screen time in digital learning.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also released recommendations on screen time limits and online safety. Building on these efforts, the Survey advocates for a Digital Wellness Curriculum in schools, covering screen-time literacy, cyber safety, and mental health awareness.
“Schools play a critical role in shaping digital habits,” the Survey notes, adding that offline youth hubs—particularly in urban slums and rural areas—could offer healthy alternatives to online spaces by promoting sports, arts, and community engagement.
A balanced view: limits of the evidence
While the Survey draws on a growing body of research, experts caution against oversimplifying the relationship between digital use and mental health. Not all screen time is harmful, and moderate, purposeful use—such as educational content or supportive online communities—can have benefits.
“Correlation does not always mean causation,” said Dr. Vikram Patel, professor of global health at Harvard Medical School and co-founder of Sangath. “Young people experiencing anxiety or depression may turn to digital spaces as a coping mechanism. The challenge is to identify harmful patterns and address underlying vulnerabilities, rather than demonizing technology itself.”
Most studies to date are observational, meaning they cannot definitively prove that digital use causes mental health problems. Socioeconomic factors, family environment, and pre-existing mental health conditions also play important roles.
What this means for families and young people
For parents and caregivers, experts recommend focusing on quality rather than just quantity of screen time. Practical steps include setting consistent device-free hours (especially before bedtime), encouraging offline hobbies, modeling healthy digital behavior, and maintaining open conversations about online experiences.
For young people, recognizing early warning signs—such as sleep disruption, loss of interest in offline activities, or mood changes—can prompt timely support. Mental health professionals emphasize that seeking help early, whether through school counselors, helplines like Tele-MANAS, or clinical services, can prevent more serious problems.
Looking ahead
The Economic Survey’s call for a holistic approach—integrating physical health, mental well-being, education, and community infrastructure—signals a shift toward treating digital addiction as a public health issue rather than a purely individual failing. As India continues its digital transformation, balancing connectivity with well-being may prove essential to ensuring a resilient and healthy future generation.
References
https://tennews.in/govt-flags-growing-digital-addiction-mental-health-crisis-in-children-youth/
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
