India’s Children Falling into the Digital Abyss: Internet Addiction and Gaming Disorder Emerging as a ‘Silent Pandemic’

In today’s digital age, children are increasingly falling prey to mobile gaming addiction and excessive internet use, which experts are calling a new ‘silent pandemic’. This growing trend is affecting their physical, mental, and social well-being, making them vulnerable to a range of health and developmental issues.

Key Causes
Experts point to several factors contributing to this phenomenon:

• Easy access to mobile phones and the internet
• Increased online gaming habits
• Parents being preoccupied or busy
• Academic pressure and competition
• Using gaming, social media, or digital content as a coping mechanism for stress

Adverse Effects of Social Media and Gaming
The consequences of excessive digital engagement are alarming:

• Decline in academic performance
• Reduced focus and concentration
• Irritability and changes in behavior
• Poor quality sleep or sleep deprivation
• Eye strain, headaches, and worsening vision
• Social isolation and detachment from the real world
• Negative impact on brain development

What Research Says

• The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized Gaming Disorder as a mental health condition.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (2019) warns that excessive screen time negatively affects brain development, learning ability, and social skills.
• According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), prolonged online gaming alters dopamine levels, creating addictive tendencies in children.
• A recent study by IIT-Bombay revealed that 25–30% of Indian adolescents are severely affected by screen time and internet addiction.

Expert Opinions
“Mobile gaming addiction in children adversely impacts studies, sleep, mental health, and behavior. Parents must monitor digital usage and engage children in real-world activities,” say child welfare specialists.

Continuous gaming affects neural connectivity, causing detachment from reality, reduced social skills, and hindering intellectual and physical development.

Steps to Overcome Addiction

• Set strict screen-time limits
• Promote outdoor sports and physical activity
• Spend quality time with family daily
• Keep mobile phones and the internet out of reach at night
• Prioritize studies, hobbies, and creative activities
• Seek guidance from psychologists or specialists if necessary

This digital challenge demands immediate attention from parents, educators, and policymakers, ensuring children grow up healthy, balanced, and socially connected.