Economic Survey 2026 Stresses on Age-Based Access to Curb Digital Addiction

With multiple Indian and global studies confirming a high prevalence of digital addiction among the 15-24 age group, the Economic Survey reports stressed the need for policies upholding age-based access.  The report underscored that since younger users are vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content, platforms should be made responsible for enforcing age verification and age-appropriate defaults, particularly for social media, gambling apps, auto-play features, and targeted advertising.

The Economic Survey report 2025–26, reviewing the overall performance of the Indian economy, urged state governments and communities to establish offline youth hubs, particularly in urban slums and rural areas, to reduce digital addiction among youths.

Acknowledging that digital access cannot be fully restricted, the report suggested creating moderated, online safe spaces hosted by schools to offer peer support and verified mental health resources, supervised by trained facilitators.

It added that schools play a critical role in shaping digital habits and thus these institutions should introduce a Digital Wellness Curriculum covering screen time literacy, cyber safety, and mental health awareness. It advocated that measures like cyber safety drills, peer mentor programs, and mandatory daily physical activity can build resilience.

The report also stressed that dependence on online teaching tools, which expanded during COVID-19, should be reduced in favor of offline engagement.

With near-universal mobile or internet use among 15–29 year olds, access to the internet is no longer the binding constraint. The report warned that compulsive digital use is also linked to anxiety, stress, depression, and sleep disturbances, especially among students facing academic pressure and exposure to cyberbullying and high-stimulus platforms.

The report argued that the focus needs to shift to behavioral health considerations, such as the rising problems of digital addiction, the quality of content, the impacts on wellbeing, and digital hygiene.

Warning that digital addiction is affecting children and adults equally in the country, the report warned that the country faces a challenge to rebalance its youth engagement by combining restrictive safeguards and providing positive offline engagement opportunities, while not demonizing technology. It highlighted the need to conduct awareness programs in colleges and workplaces, technology-free zones, and ‘buddy’ or ‘mentor’ systems to promote healthier digital habits and build offline connections.

Similarly, in a chapter titled “Global and national responses to digital addiction,” it added that adults should also be encouraged to adopt ‘digital diets’ involving voluntary device-free periods. For severe cases, community-based, device-free spaces can provide professional support.

Highlighting the digital landscape in the country, the report said India has made significant strides towards a digitally empowered society, driven by a rapidly growing digital economy, robust public digital infrastructure, and affordable internet.

The digital economy contributed 11.74% to national income in FY23, with projections of 13.42% in FY25, reflecting scale in usage and monetization.

It further added that internet connections in India grew from 25.15 crore (2014) to 96.96 crore (2024), supported by nationwide 5G deployment and BharatNet fibre connectivity to 2.18 lakh Gram Panchayats. 85.5% of households own at least one smartphone (2025), reflecting near-ubiquitous access and driving digital use across all demographic groups.

In 2024, 48 % of internet users watched videos online, 43 % accessed social media, 40 % used email and listened to online music, and 26 % made digital payments. In absolute terms, these shares translate into roughly 40 crore users for OTT (over-the-top) video and food delivery and almost 35 crore for social media.

As an antidote to continuous digital exposure, social connections play a crucial role in an individual’s mental well-being. Evidence suggests that frequent face-to-face socializing correlates with higher mental well-being.

The report highlighted ongoing efforts to curb digital addiction, including CBSE guidelines on safe internet use in schools and school buses, the Ministry of Education’s Pragyata framework on digital education and screen time, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights’ guidelines on screen-time limits and online safety.

It added that  Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States), launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has received over 32 lakh calls since its launch in late 2022.

The report highlighted the lack of comprehensive national data on digital addiction and its prevalence, and mental health effects hinder targeted intervention, resource allocation, and integration of digital wellness into national mental health strategies.

It underscored that families should be educated and encouraged to set screen-time limits, observe device-free hours, and engage in shared offline activities.

Economic Survey report stressed that promoting simpler devices for children, such as basic phones or education-only tablets, along with enforced usage limits and content filters, can further reduce exposure to harmful material, including violent, sexual, or gambling-related content.

It also emphasized network-layer safeguards, such as ISP-level interventions, family data plans with differentiated quotas for educational versus recreational apps, and default blocking of high-risk categories, with opt-in overrides available to guardians.