Model Answer

The Economic Survey 2025–26 identifies digital addiction and screen-related mental health issues as an emerging public health challenge with direct implications for India’s long-term economic productivity and demographic dividend. While India’s digital economy now contributes nearly three-fourths of national income, the Survey flags a paradox: the same digital infrastructure driving growth is also generating behavioural risks, especially among youth, thereby threatening human capital formation. The Survey defines digital addiction as a pattern of persistent, compulsive, or excessive engagement with digital devices that leads to psychological distress and functional impairment. It manifests across three dimensions:

1. Mental health: Rising anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, social comparison stress, and cyberbullying.
2. Physical health: Sleep deprivation, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, eye strain, and musculoskeletal problems such as “tech neck.”
3. Cognitive and social impacts: Reduced attention spans, impaired learning outcomes, and erosion of offline social capital.

Thus, digital addiction is not merely a lifestyle issue but a structural human capital risk.

Key Trends Highlighted by the Economic Survey 2025–26

a. Near-universal digital access: Internet users increased from 250 million (2014) to nearly 970 million (2024), with almost universal usage among the 15–29 age group. b. Explosion in screen time: Indians cumulatively spent nearly 1 lakh crore hours on smartphones in 2024, indicating unprecedented exposure. c. Education–entertainment imbalance: ASER 2024 shows only 57% of adolescents use phones for education, while 76% use them primarily for social media. d. High-risk demographics: Youth aged 15–24 years are most vulnerable to social media addiction and gaming disorders. e. Epidemiological transition: While India has achieved major gains in traditional health indicators (MMR declined by 86% since 1990), lifestyle-driven mental health disorders are emerging as the new crisis.

Causes of Digital Addiction in India

1. Algorithm-driven engagement: Digital platforms deploy dopamine-optimised algorithms such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and personalised content, deliberately targeting adolescent psychological vulnerabilities.

2. Pandemic-induced behavioural shift: COVID-19 normalised prolonged screen exposure for education, work, and social interaction, blurring boundaries between necessity and addiction.

3. Cheap data and 5G expansion: India’s globally low data costs and rapid 5G rollout have removed economic barriers to excessive streaming, gaming, and real-money platforms.

4. Gaming and gambling incentives: Real-money gaming apps employ reward mechanisms that foster addictive behaviour, prompting legislative intervention through the Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2025.

5. Urbanisation and social isolation: Urban lifestyles, weakening community networks, and lack of safe public spaces make digital platforms substitutes for offline socialisation.

Consequences for Economy and Society

• Productivity loss: Reduced attention, burnout, and mental health disorders undermine workforce efficiency.
• Human capital erosion: Poor learning outcomes and cognitive decline weaken future skill formation.
• Rising healthcare burden: Shift from infectious diseases to chronic mental health conditions strains public health systems.
• Intergenerational impact: Early exposure among children disrupts brain development and social skills.

Thus, unchecked digital addiction risks converting India’s demographic dividend into a demographic liability.

Key Challenges in Addressing the Problem

• Absence of comprehensive data: Delay in the Second National Mental Health Survey limits evidence-based policymaking.
• Weak enforcement: Easy circumvention of age limits and parental controls.
• Institutional resistance: Big Tech’s economic influence complicates regulatory efforts.
• Social normalisation: Excessive screen use is perceived as modernity rather than pathology.
• Inadequate specialist care: Limited reach of tech-addiction clinics beyond major urban centres.

The Economic Survey 2025–26 underscores that India’s digital journey must now mature from access-centric growth to wellbeing-oriented governance. Protecting mental health, especially of youth, is no longer a social issue alone but an economic imperative. By aligning regulation, education, and community infrastructure, India can ensure that technology remains an enabler of productivity rather than a threat to its demographic dividend.