India, Jan. 30 -- Digital addiction has emerged as a major public health challenge among children and young people in India, significantly contributing to the country's worsening mental health crisis, the government warned on Thursday in the Economic Survey 2025-26.

The Survey, presented in Parliament by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, underlined a clear connection between excessive digital consumption and declining mental well-being among the youth.

It noted that digital addiction has a direct negative impact on academic outcomes and workplace productivity, largely due to constant distractions, inadequate sleep and reduced attention spans. The report also pointed out that excessive screen time weakens s...