The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled on January 29, has highlighted a growing concern among India’s youth: digital and gaming addiction. As India rapidly moves toward a digitally empowered society, the government recognizes that uncontrolled engagement with online platforms poses serious risks to the cognitive, social, and financial well-being of young people.
The survey emphasizes that the solution is not to “demonize technology” but to restore balance by combining safeguards with positive offline opportunities. Central to this effort is the Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2025, a landmark legislation aimed at curbing financial losses and compulsive behavior among youth. The Act prohibits online money games involving wagering, sets strict licensing rules for skill-based games, and imposes stringent advertising restrictions to reduce the appeal of addictive platforms.
From an economic perspective, digital addiction threatens the development of a future-ready workforce. The survey warns that compulsive gaming and screen time can have consequences comparable to poor nutrition and rising obesity, undermining long-term growth and productivity.
India’s response is multi-pronged, including initiatives such as the Tele-MANAS 24/7 mental health helpline and the SHUT (Service for Healthy Use of Technology) Clinic at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, which focus on early intervention and digital wellness. The lack of comprehensive national data, however, remains a challenge for designing targeted interventions. The upcoming Second National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), led by NIMHANS, is expected to provide critical insights into the prevalence and impact of digital and gaming addiction in India.
India’s approach aligns with global recognition of the issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified gaming addiction as a mental health disorder in the ICD-11, noting impaired control and prioritization of gaming over essential activities despite negative consequences. International examples include China’s ‘fatigue system’ limiting gaming time for minors, Australia’s nationwide social media ban for children under 16, and South Korea’s pioneering ‘Shutdown Law,’ now complemented by parental control measures and dedicated recovery centers.
By implementing strict regulation, mental health support, and awareness initiatives, India aims to ensure that digital progress empowers youth rather than ensnaring them in addictive behaviors.
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