Bihar Government Moves to Curb Digital Addiction Among Children with New Screen Time Policy
In response to growing alarm over children's excessive smartphone and social media use, the Bihar state government is developing a comprehensive policy to regulate screen time and online activities for minors. This initiative aims to tackle the negative impacts on mental health, academic performance, and physical well-being, as highlighted by parents, teachers, and medical professionals across the state.
Coordinated Action Across Departments
During the recent budget session of the assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary emphasized the urgency of this issue, calling for a multi-departmental approach. The effort will involve collaboration between the education, health, information technology, and women and child development departments to ensure a holistic strategy.
The first step in this process is seeking expert guidance from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) in Bengaluru. Once Nimhans submits its detailed report, officials will conduct extensive consultations to shape the final guidelines, as confirmed by Choudhary.
Proposed Measures and Expert Insights
Minister of Sports and Information Technology Shreyasi Singh has assured that her department will meticulously review the recommendations before implementing the policy. Key measures under consideration include:
- Introducing age-based limits on device usage to tailor restrictions according to developmental stages.
- Adding mandatory "digital hygiene" sessions in government schools to educate students on responsible technology habits.
- Running awareness campaigns through rural women's self-help groups to reach communities effectively.
- Setting up counselling services in district hospitals for children exhibiting signs of digital addiction, such as anxiety and behavioral issues.
The Economic Survey 2025-26 has underscored the severity of the problem, noting that many rural teenagers in Bihar spend four to five hours daily on screens. This excessive usage is linked to rising anxiety, sleep disturbances, declining academic performance, and reduced physical activity.
Voices from the Assembly and Medical Community
JD(U) MLA Samridh Verma, who raised the issue in the assembly, described prolonged screen exposure as an "invisible epidemic" that harms attention spans and behavior. Child psychologists support this view, pointing out that constant notifications, online comparisons, and addictive platform designs often lead to stress, low self-esteem, loneliness, and even aggressive tendencies in some cases.
Dr. Binda Singh, a clinical psychologist based in Patna, explained, "Mobile phone addiction among children is severely affecting their studies, concentration, behavior, and relationships. They become aggressive, avoid family interactions, and lose essential habits like reading and writing. Parents face blame and tantrums when trying to restrict phone use, which damages family bonds." She added that government-imposed regulations could shift responsibility away from parents, helping children stay focused and connected to reality during critical developmental years.
Dr. Chandra Mohan Kumar, professor and head of paediatrics at AIIMS-Patna, noted that Australia and Karnataka have pioneered similar restrictions. "While mobile addiction often stems from permissive parenting, this move is welcome. Legally, children cannot create social media accounts, but they may use parents' accounts, allowing better oversight. It will curb excessive gaming and photography, and most importantly, government action signals serious concern, encouraging parental strictness for meaningful change," he told this newspaper.
Parental Support and Future Implications
A concerned parent, Banti Kumari, expressed optimism about the policy's potential impact. "If implemented effectively, Bihar's screen time policy could serve as a model for other states. By combining school education, community outreach, expert-backed rules, and support for affected families, this initiative can help the younger generation grow up healthier, more focused, and better equipped to handle the digital world responsibly," she said.
This proactive approach by the Bihar government reflects a growing recognition of the digital challenges facing today's youth, with the aim of fostering a balanced and healthy relationship with technology for future generations.
