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The Economic Survey 2025-26 says the prevalence of social media addiction is particularly high among those aged 15-24 years.
The Economic Survey 2026 also said gaming disorder has shown evidence of causing sleep disruption, aggression, social withdrawal and depression, with adolescents especially vulnerable.
Social media addiction is strongly linked to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and cyberbullying-related stress among young people, the Economic Survey 2025-26 warned, flagging digital addiction as a growing public health and social concern with implications for India’s demographic dividend.
Drawing on multiple Indian and global studies, the Survey said the prevalence of social media addiction is particularly high among those aged 15-24 years, with compulsive scrolling and constant social comparison emerging as key drivers of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
“Research on digital addiction highlights distinct risks and mental health consequences among youth. Social media addiction is strongly associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying stress, with multiple Indian and global studies confirming its high prevalence among those aged 15-24. Compulsive scrolling and social comparison are particularly linked to anxiety and depressive symptoms,” the Survey said.
Gaming, gambling and binge-watching add to mental health risks
Beyond social media, the Survey flagged risks linked to other forms of digital consumption. It said gaming disorder has shown evidence of causing sleep disruption, aggression, social withdrawal and depression, with adolescents especially vulnerable.
The Survey also raised concerns over online gambling and real-money gaming, noting evidence of harm including financial stress, anxiety, depression and even suicidal ideation.
“Streaming and short video compulsion carry evidence linking binge-watching and endless video loops to poor sleep hygiene, reduced concentration, and heightened stress,” it said, underscoring the multifaceted nature of digital addiction and its cumulative impact on mental health.
Face-to-face socialising linked to better well-being
The Survey highlighted that offline social connections remain critical for mental well-being.
“Social connections play a crucial role in the mental well-being of an individual. Evidence suggests that frequent face-to-face socialising correlates with higher mental well-being,” it said, suggesting that excessive digital engagement may be crowding out healthier forms of social interaction.
Obesity, lifestyle risks threaten demographic dividend
The warnings on digital addiction came alongside broader concerns on lifestyle-related health risks. During the post-Survey media briefing, V Anantha Nageswaran, chief economic advisor, flagged rising obesity as a key challenge to harnessing India’s demographic dividend.
He stressed the need for clear food labelling that reflects health risks, arguing that better information would enable people to make more conscious and informed dietary choices.
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January 29, 2026, 17:22 IST
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