– Dr Ashwini Tadpatrikar, Assistant Professor, Vidyashilp University

Governments across the world are waking up to what is increasingly being recognised as a public health crisis. Children and adolescents are spending unprecedented amounts of time on social media and digital devices, and this is beginning to affect how they learn, sleep, interact, and grow. Countries such as Australia and Denmark have already moved toward restricting access for younger users, while others are introducing time limits and stronger platform regulations.

India, with one of the largest youth populations and among the highest numbers of internet users globally, faces this challenge at a far greater scale. Studies suggest that a significant proportion of Indian adolescents show patterns of excessive or problematic technology use. This is increasingly visible in schools and homes, where children struggle with sleep disturbances, reduced attention spans, emotional difficulties, and declining academic engagement.

Children today are not just using technology—they are growing up within it. Social media shapes their identity, peer relationships, and sense of self. At the same time, it exposes them to risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment, inappropriate content, financial exploitation through gaming, and constant social comparison.

It is important to recognise that not all use is harmful. There is a distinction between use, harmful use, and addiction. Harmful use may include excessive gaming, exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or spending money online without awareness. Addiction begins when such use starts affecting daily functioning, including poor sleep, school absenteeism, social withdrawal, or an inability to regulate screen time.

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable because their brains are still developing, especially in areas related to impulse control and decision-making. This phase of life is also one of the most formative and productive. If challenges emerge at this stage, the long-term consequences can be significant for an entire generation.

In this context, EducationWorld covered a landmark story in February 2026 titled, “Emergency! Ban Big Tech: Mind-Blowing India’s Children & Youth,” which highlighted the growing impact of social media on young users and called for urgent regulatory attention. More recently, the Karnataka government, in its 2026 budget, proposed restrictions on social media use for children under 16—an important and welcome step. Other states such as Andhra Pradesh and Goa are also exploring similar measures, signalling that India is ready for a broader national dialogue.

Rather than viewing this issue purely through the lens of restriction, it is essential to move toward preparedness. Digital technology is here to stay. The goal should not be to eliminate its use, but to enable safe, balanced, and developmentally appropriate engagement.

Policy and Legal Recommendations

1. Move from blanket bans to phased and age-appropriate access
   Instead of a one-size-fits-all restriction, policies should consider gradual access based on age and maturity. This allows children to develop responsible usage habits rather than being abruptly exposed later without guidance.
2. Develop clear national guidelines on children’s digital use
   India needs age-wise recommendations on screen time, content exposure, and digital behaviour, similar to guidelines for nutrition or physical health.
3. Make digital literacy a core part of school education
   Digital literacy should not remain an optional add-on. It must be integrated into the curriculum, equipping children to navigate risks, manage time, and engage responsibly online.
4. Mandate platform-level safety features for children
   Social media and gaming platforms should be required to include built-in safeguards such as screen-time alerts, content filters, spending limits, and default privacy settings for minors.
5. Strengthen parental support systems
   Policies must recognise parents as key stakeholders. Providing them with tools, training, and awareness programmes can significantly improve outcomes.
6. Introduce digital detox and digital fasting initiatives
   Structured breaks from screens should be encouraged at school and community levels. Practices such as device-free hours or designated offline days can help build healthier habits.
7. Establish school-based screening and counselling systems
   Schools should be equipped to identify early signs of harmful use and provide support through counsellors or referral systems.
8. Create community-level digital well-being programmes
   Awareness campaigns must move beyond fear-based messaging and focus on practical strategies for balanced use. Community centres and local programmes can play a vital role.
9. Invest in training teachers and frontline professionals
   Teachers, counsellors, and primary care providers should be trained to recognise and respond to digital overuse and related mental health concerns.
10. Encourage youth participation in policy design
    Children and adolescents should not be viewed merely as passive users. They must be included in discussions and solutions, as they understand digital spaces better than most adults.
11. Develop a national regulatory framework for digital well-being
    India needs a coordinated mechanism to oversee children’s digital safety, monitor implementation, and adapt policies as technology evolves.
12. Align digital policies with mental health frameworks
    Technology use should be integrated within broader child and adolescent mental health policies to ensure a more holistic approach.

At the heart of these recommendations lies a central idea: normalisation, not stigmatisation. Technology is an integral part of modern life. The challenge lies not in its existence, but in how it is used. Children should not grow up fearing technology, but understanding it. The focus must shift from control to capacity building.

The Karnataka initiative is therefore an important beginning. It signals recognition, urgency, and a willingness to act. By emphasising preparedness, India can pave the way for regulated digital use—promoting practices such as digital detox and intermittent digital fasting while ensuring that young users are equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Also Read: How Sports Integration is Reshaping Indian School Education