India, Jan. 30 -- Tech addiction flagged as public health risk

The Economic Survey 2025-26 has highlighted digital addiction as a growing public health concern affecting youth and adults, impacting mental health, academic performance, and workplace productivity. The report, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, noted compulsive social media use, binge-watching, and online gaming as key contributors to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sleep disruption, and cyberbullying stress. It cited global examples, including Australia, China, and South Korea, of regulatory, therapeutic, and educational interventions to curb excessive screen use. The Survey called for comprehensive national data on usage patterns, health outcomes, and online risks to...