Ranchi: Nearly one-third of adolescents aged 13 to 18 in the city are addicted to gadgets, according to a study by the Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (Rinpas). Using randomized sampling, researchers surveyed 390 students from higher secondary schools across the state capital. Of these, 117 reported severe internet and smartphone addiction. Data was collected through sociodemographic datasheets, addiction tests, and a parental bonding scale.
Key Findings
The study, conducted by Dr. Amool Ranjan and Dr. Deblina Das and published in the Eastern Journal of Psychiatry, found that an adolescent’s gender or financial background plays no role in digital dependency. Instead, the root cause lies within family dynamics. “What actually led to higher addiction in adolescents was parental bonding, or the lack thereof,” said Ranjan.
Family Structure Matters
The research indicated that family structures and parents’ marital status are pivotal in shaping smartphone habits. Lack of parental care coupled with overprotection emerged as a dangerous trigger, with excessive monitoring directly driving youngsters toward screens. Conversely, larger families, where members assist in child-rearing, acted as natural shields against internet or gadget addiction. Ranjan added, “Addiction to gadgets was significantly higher in children from nuclear families, with both parents working, from single-parent households, or living in hostels, compared to those in joint or larger families.”
Psychological Impact
For youngsters, the digital escape quickly spiraled into a psychological trap. Participants admitted to severe social isolation, dwindling family interactions, disrupted sleep cycles, and a sharp decline in academic performance. Many said they could no longer manage their emotions without reaching for a digital device. While most adolescents were aware of their excessive screen time and wanted to cut back, they felt powerless to do so, triggering guilt, frustration, and dependency—mirroring ambivalence seen in substance abuse.
Intervention and Results
To combat the crisis, the study isolated 100 students with the highest screen time—six to ten hours daily—and enrolled them in a tailored therapeutic transformation program. “By using techniques like urge management, structured routines, and healthy emotional expression, teenagers reported a gradual rise in self-regulation. A collaborative, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship was vital in boosting motivation to change,” Ranjan said. By the end of the study, an average reduction of 2.5 hours of gadget dependence was observed, with some participants slashing usage by three to four hours daily.
