Maharashtra forms expert task force to study rising digital addiction among children

The announcement came after legislative council members Niranjan Davkhare and Sanjay Kenekar raised a calling attention motion flagging the alarming rise in digital and gaming addiction among minors. 

Members of Legislative Council (MLCs) Pravin Darekar, Chitra Wagh, Bhai Jagtap, and Uma Khapre also participated in the discussion.

Responding to the debate, Shelar said written instructions were issued on February 2 to Principal Secretary (IT) Virendra Singh to constitute the task force. He also announced that a joint committee comprising members from both Houses of the state legislature would be formed to deliberate further on the issue.

Maharashtra Budget Session 2026: What will the task force examine

Highlighting the gravity of the issue, the minister said Maharashtra has nearly four crore children below the age of 18, of whom around three crore are under 15.

“Their mental and physical well-being is a matter of serious public concern,” he said, adding that the government is treating the matter with urgency.

The multi-disciplinary task force will include educationists, psychiatrists, child counsellors, technology and management experts, doctors, legal experts, and senior government officials. It will study:

Child protection and digital safety

Impact on mental health

Responsible and balanced use of digital platforms

Effects on education and overall development

Cultural and family factors

Gender-based differences

Rural-urban disparities

Economic and productivity impact

Existing national and international child digital safety frameworks

Alarming findings on gaming addiction

Citing a study by the organisation “Responsible Netism,” Shelar said the global gaming industry is now valued at over USD 200 billion, with India ranking first in mobile game downloads. In Maharashtra, the domestic gaming industry is projected to reach USD 8.6 billion by 2027 due to rising smartphone penetration.

The study indicates a worrying rise in gaming disorder among children across both urban and rural Maharashtra. In five centres across the state, three out of every ten child cases are related to gaming addiction. Further, an Internet Dependency Scale survey conducted in schools shows that nearly 40 per cent of children exhibit moderate to severe gaming addiction.

Mental and physical health concerns

Experts have observed symptoms such as irritability, declining academic performance, social withdrawal, and “phantom vibration syndrome”, the sensation that a phone is ringing when it is not. Excessive gaming has also been linked to anxiety and depression.

Physical issues include “tech-neck,” eye strain, disrupted sleep cycles, and rising obesity due to reduced physical activity.

Maharashtra Budget Session 2026: Policy measures under consideration

The state government is considering a range of regulatory, educational and health interventions, including:

Regulatory measures

Mandatory age verification (e-KYC) for gaming platforms

Creation of an India-based gaming rating authority

Compulsory time limits and time-out features for minors

Regulation of gambling-like “loot boxes”

Statutory safety warnings in gaming advertisements

Educational measures

Inclusion of “Digital Hygiene” in the SCERT Maharashtra curriculum

Launch of ‘Screen-Free Saturday’ in government schools

Training teachers to detect early signs of digital addiction

Health measures

Setting up ‘Cyber Wellness Centres’ at medical colleges and district hospitals

Recognising gaming disorder as a mental health priority under state schemes

Shelar added that the government would also encourage competitions promoting games that enhance cognitive skills.

However, he clarified that legislative powers in this domain rest with the Central Government. If the task force suggests legal amendments, the recommendations will be forwarded to the Centre for consideration.