India, Dec. 26 -- A small village in Maharashtra's Sangli district has become a frontrunner in the campaign against mounting screen addiction among children. It has done so by introducing a community-wide digital detox every evening - a practice that has now begun to influence neighbouring villages and even parts of Karnataka.

At precisely 7 pm each day, a siren atop the Bhairavnath temple in Mohityanche Vadgaon signals the start of a 90-minute no-screen period. Till 8.30 pm, residents voluntarily switch off their mobile phones, televisions, laptops and other digital devices. This time is instead spent studying, reading, playing outdoors or engaging in family interactions.

The initiative is being followed consistently for nearly five ye...