India is facing a growing mental health challenge among its younger population as excessive dependence on digital devices becomes increasingly widespread, the government has cautioned in the Economic Survey 2025–26.
Presented in Parliament on Thursday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the survey flags digital addiction as a key factor worsening emotional well-being among children, adolescents and young adults. It points to a strong correlation between prolonged screen exposure and rising mental health concerns across the country.
The report notes that uncontrolled use of smartphones, social media platforms and online games is undermining focus, productivity and healthy routines. Problems such as frequent distractions, poor sleep patterns and declining attention spans are affecting both academic outcomes and workplace efficiency. Over time, these habits are also weakening real-world social interactions, the survey observed.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 have been identified as the most affected demographic. The survey highlights that dependence on social media within this age group is often accompanied by anxiety, depressive symptoms, low confidence levels and stress linked to online harassment. Behaviours such as endless scrolling, excessive gaming and constant comparison with curated online lives are becoming increasingly common.
Acknowledging the scale of the challenge, the government has outlined a multi-pronged response. Schools have been advised to promote responsible internet usage through guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), covering both classrooms and school transport.
The Ministry of Education’s Pragyatah initiative has also been designed to help institutions plan digital learning in a way that limits excessive screen exposure. In parallel, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has laid down norms related to screen-time limits and online safety to protect children from digital harm.
Mental health support systems are also being expanded. The Tele-MANAS helpline, launched in October 2022, has emerged as a key support channel, handling more than 32 lakh calls so far. Specialised facilities such as the SHUT (Service for Healthy Use of Technology) Clinic at NIMHANS in Bengaluru are providing targeted treatment for technology-related behavioural issues, particularly among young users.
On the regulatory front, the Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2025 has been cited as a significant step aimed at curbing addiction and financial risks associated with online gaming among youth.
However, the survey acknowledges that limiting digital access altogether is neither feasible nor practical. Instead, it recommends expanding offline engagement opportunities by creating youth-focused community spaces in rural areas and urban slums. It also suggests developing supervised digital platforms run by schools or trusted institutions to offer safer online environments.
Highlighting the role of education, the survey calls for the introduction of a structured digital wellness curriculum in schools. Such a programme, it said, should focus on building awareness around healthy screen habits, cyber safety and mental well-being.
