Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 1: Amid rising concerns over digital addiction among children and its adverse impact, the Maharashtra government has decided to constitute an expert task force to study the issue and recommend corrective measures, state IT Minister Ashish Shelar informed the legislative council on Wednesday.
Responding to a calling attention motion raised by MLCs Niranjan Davkhare and Sanjay Kenekar, Shelar said the panel will include members from both Houses of the state legislature and submit its report before the next session.
In a written reply, the minister stated that instructions were issued on February 2 to Principal Secretary (IT) Virendra Singh to initiate the formation of the task force. He said the government is treating the matter with utmost seriousness, noting that Maharashtra has nearly four crore children below 18 years, including about three crore below 15 years.
Citing a study by Responsible Netism, Shelar said the global gaming market is valued at over USD 200 billion, with India ranking first in mobile game downloads. The domestic gaming industry in Maharashtra is projected to reach USD 8.6 billion by 2027. However, alongside this growth, concerns over “gaming disorder” are intensifying.
According to the data shared, nearly three out of every ten cases related to children involve gaming addiction. Assessments conducted in schools using the Internet Dependency Scale indicate that around 40 per cent of children show moderate to severe gaming addiction. The minister highlighted psychological effects such as irritability, decline in academic performance, phantom vibration syndrome, anxiety, depression and social withdrawal. Physical impacts like tech-neck, eye strain, disrupted sleep cycles and obesity due to reduced activity were also flagged.
The state-level task force will comprise educationists, psychiatrists, child counsellors, technology and management experts, doctors, legal experts and senior officials. It will examine child protection and safety, mental health impacts, responsible digital use, educational and developmental effects, cultural and family factors, gender differences, rural-urban disparities and macroeconomic implications. Existing national and international digital safety frameworks will also be reviewed.
Shelar said the government is considering several regulatory and educational steps, including mandatory age verification (e-KYC) for gaming platforms, setting up an Indian-based gaming rating authority, enforcing time-out features and daily usage limits for minors, and regulating ‘loot boxes’ that resemble gambling.
Measures such as introducing ‘Digital Hygiene’ in the SCERT Maharashtra curriculum, implementing a ‘Screen-Free Saturday’ initiative in government schools, training teachers to identify early signs of addiction, and establishing Cyber Wellness Centres at government medical colleges and district levels are also under discussion. Recognition of gaming disorder as a mental health priority under state health schemes is being considered.
The minister said that while legislative powers rest with the Centre, any recommendations for amendments to existing laws emerging from the task force’s study will be formally conveyed to the Central government for consideration.