Highlights

Digital addiction affects youth mental health and productivity
Gaming, social media, and online gambling cause anxiety, depression, and sleep issues
Survey calls for national data and targeted interventions

Latest news

Gulveer Singh Wins 10,000m Silver as India Reaches 22 Medals at Asian Games 2026

Sensex Rises 315 Points, Nifty Gains 77 as Markets Recover After Sharp Sell-Off

Love & War: Alia Bhatt's First-Look Poster Unveiled in Cabaret-Inspired Avatar

Manoj Tiwari’s Daughter Rhiti Faces Backlash Over Abusive Remarks on Bigg Boss 20

CNN, MS NOW, Politico allowed back in White House after judge's order

Trump hosts Xi Jinping for state dinner as pomp masks tensions

Israel's Netanyahu denounces enemies, allies in fiery UN speech

Delhi HC Questions MCD Over 1,723 PG Buildings With Unverified Plans After Satya Niketan Collapse

Economic Survey calls for tackling rising digital addiction as it hits academic performance, productivity

Name: Economic Survey calls for tackling rising digital addiction as it hits academic performance, productivity
Uploaded: 2026-01-29T16:37:14.000+05:30
Duration: T00M56S
Channel: PTI
Description: The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights digital addiction as a growing concern affecting youth and adults, urging comprehensive measures to address mental health, academic performance, workplace productivity, and online safety.

The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights digital addiction as a growing concern affecting youth and adults, urging comprehensive measures to address mental health, academic performance, workplace productivity, and online safety.

Updated: Sep 02, 2022 10:53

PTI

Join our WhatsApp Channel

Economic Survey calls for tackling rising digital addiction as it hits academic performance, productivity

Taking cognisance of the rise in digital addiction, the Economic Survey 2025-26 called for comprehensive interventions to address the problem, which is adversely impacting academic performance, workplace productivity, and mental health of youth as well as adults.

The Survey report, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, identified digital addiction as a rising problem impacting mental health of youth and adults, and discussed measures taken by various countries, including Australia, China, South Korea, and called for several interventions besides ongoing efforts of various government departments.

It said digital addiction among youth has become a significant public health concern worldwide, prompting regulatory, therapeutic, and educational responses from governments, health institutions, and civil society. "With near-universal mobile/internet use among 15-29-year-olds, access is no longer the binding constraint; the focus needs to shift to behavioural health considerations such as the rising problems of digital addiction, quality of content, wellbeing impacts, and digital hygiene," the Survey said.

Several countries such as Australia, China, South Korea, Brazil, France, Spain, Finland, Japan, and states in the US have taken stringent measures to check the problem of digital addiction.

"A major challenge in addressing digital addiction in India is the lack of comprehensive national data on its prevalence and mental health effects. This hinders targeted intervention, resource allocation, and integration of digital wellness into national mental health strategies," the Survey said.

It said the upcoming Second National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), led by NIMHANS and commissioned by the Health and Family Welfare ministry, is expected to generate empirical and actionable insights into the prevalence of mental health issues in the Indian context. "Developing a comprehensive set of indicators is essential to assessing the multi-dimensional effects of digital addiction interventions," the Survey said.

It said key metrics to compile data may include usage patterns (average recreational screen time), health outcomes (sleep quality, anxiety, and stress levels), academic and workplace performance (attendance and task completion), and safety concerns such as cyberbullying, online scams, and exposure to real-money gaming.

The Survey said while digital access fuels learning, jobs, and civic participation, compulsive and high-intensity use can impose real economic and social costs, ranging from lost study hours and reduced productivity to healthcare burdens and financial losses resulting from risky online behaviours.

It said research on digital addiction has shown distinct risks and mental health consequences among the youth. "Social media addiction is strongly associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying stress, with multiple Indian and global studies confirming its high prevalence among those aged 15-24," the Survey said.

It said compulsive scrolling and social comparison are particularly linked to anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The World Health Organisation has included Gaming Disorder as an International Classification of Diseases (ICD). WHO has defined "Gaming Disorder" as a pattern of gaming behaviour — "digital-gaming" or "video-gaming" — characterised by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main issue discussed in the Economic Survey 2025-26?❯

The Economic Survey 2025-26 discusses the rising problem of digital addiction and its adverse impacts on academic performance, workplace productivity, and mental health.

Which groups are most affected by digital addiction according to the survey?❯

Several countries, including Australia, China, South Korea, Brazil, France, Spain, Finland, Japan, and states in the US, have taken stringent measures to address the problem of digital addiction.❯

What are the key areas where digital addiction impacts people?❯

Why is there a need for comprehensive national data on digital addiction in India?❯

Up Next

Economic Survey calls for tackling rising digital addiction as it hits academic performance, productivity

Delhi HC Questions MCD Over 1,723 PG Buildings With Unverified Plans After Satya Niketan Collapse

Chirag Paswan Says ECI Must Address Concerns, Maintain Public Trust Amid SIR Row

Congress Questions Matthew Van Dyke's Release, Demands Centre's Accountability Over NIA Case

Delhi HC Issues Notice to CJP Activists on Plea Over AI-Morphed Images, Directs Meta to Remove Content

Keralam Minister Chennithala Calls 2024 Maharashtra Polls 'Fraud', Says SIR In Keralam Was 'Alright'

Highlights

Latest news

Economic Survey calls for tackling rising digital addiction as it hits academic performance, productivity

Frequently Asked Questions

Up Next

More videos

Categories