Economic Survey 2025-26: Digital addiction is a national health crisis
India's Economic Survey 2025-26 calls out digital addiction as a serious health issue, especially for people aged 15-29.
With internet connections rising sharply over the past decade, the focus has shifted from just getting online to dealing with the real-life impact of too much screen time.
Mental and physical health impacts
Too much internet use is hurting grades, productivity, and even friendships—mainly because of lost sleep and constant distractions.
For those between 15 and 24, social media overload is linked to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and cyberbullying stress; gaming disorders are discussed separately as another form of digital addiction.
Plus, spending more time online means being more exposed to scams.
Government initiatives to tackle the problem
The government is stepping in: CBSE has new guidelines for safer internet use at schools; the Pragyatah framework helps manage screen time; and Tele-MANAS has already fielded over three million calls for mental health support.
New laws and clinics to help
Special clinics like NIMHANS's SHUT Clinic offer help for tech overuse—focusing on adolescents and young adults.
Discussions about regulating online gaming have focused on measures to curb wagering-based games, restrict related advertising, and protect young people from financial risks online.