The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled in Parliament on Thursday (29 Jan), has raised serious concerns over the growing threat of digital addiction in India, saying that excessive use of digital devices and online platforms is beginning to hurt academic performance, workplace productivity, and mental health across age groups.
The pre-budget report highlighted that with near-universal access to smartphones and the internet among people aged 15-29, connectivity is no longer the major constraint. Instead, attention must shift to behavioural health, content quality, and digital wellbeing.
According to the Survey, compulsive use of smartphones, social media, online gaming and streaming platforms can lead to a range of adverse effects, including reduced concentration, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. Multiple Indian and global studies cited by the report link social media addiction especially with mental stress among young people aged 15-24.
The document warned that the costs of digital addiction extend beyond individual wellbeing including lost study hours, decreased workplace efficiency, increased healthcare burden and financial losses related to risky online behaviours.
To counter these challenges, the Economic Survey called for comprehensive interventions. Recommendations include:
- Age-based access controls on online platforms to protect minors, with firms asked to enforce age verification and age-appropriate defaults.
- Introducing digital wellness and hygiene curricula in schools.
- Government and community initiatives to promote healthy screen habits, device-free hours and offline activities.
- Parental training programmes to help guardians limit unhealthy digital use.
The Survey also noted that lack of national-level data on the prevalence and effects of digital addiction in India remains a hurdle and stressed the need for better evidence and indicators to shape policy responses.
Experts say the call for action underscores a growing recognition that in a highly connected society, digital wellbeing must become part of public health and education policy.