The central government has strengthened the IT Act and rules to combat digital addiction. Awareness campaigns are being run through ISEA Project and DPDP Act has been implemented for the protection of children. Action has also been taken on 50 OTT platforms with objectionable content.
New Delhi [भारत]July 22 (ANI): The Government of India has strengthened safeguards by leveraging the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) along with the Information Technology Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules”) to establish a comprehensive framework against digital addiction aimed at promoting digital well-being, user safety and responsible digital participation in the country.
Emphasis on increasing awareness
According to the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the government is implementing a project on ‘Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA)’ to generate human resources in information security and create general awareness on various aspects of cyber hygiene and cyber security among the general public. So far, 6,650 awareness workshops have been conducted across the country, attended by more than 11.37 lakh participants including school/college students, teachers, law enforcement, government personnel and general public.
In addition, multilingual awareness materials in the form of handbooks, short videos, posters, brochures, cartoon stories for children, etc. have been published and disseminated in print, electronic, social media and through www.isea.gov.in and https://staysafeonline.in/. CERT-In also regularly shares safety and security tips and awareness posters, infographics and videos on its official websites and social media handles. It aims to sensitize internet users about cyber security attacks and fraud, including online safety measures for children.
Cyber security measures in education sector
The Ministry of Education released the ‘PRAGYATA’ guidelines on digital education in July 2020, which provide a framework for safe and effective online learning, including promoting student well-being and responsible use of social media and electronic devices. CBSE has complemented these efforts by issuing guidelines on digital etiquette, cyber-security training for teachers, publication of ‘Cyber Security Handbook’, and advising schools to set up cyber clubs to promote cyber security awareness.
NCERT has also included cyber security in its curriculum, including a chapter on “Social Impact” in classes XI and XII, and CIET-NCERT has developed and disseminated resource materials on cyber security.
Content regulation and data protection
Additionally, recent amendments in the IT rules require social media platforms and other intermediaries to remove unlawful content within three hours of receipt of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction or a reasoned notice by the appropriate government or agency thereof. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”) aims to establish a legal framework to regulate the processing of digital personal data. The DPDP Act provides a legal framework to protect children’s online privacy. The law mandates parental consent to process children’s personal data and prohibits practices harmful to children’s well-being, such as tracking, behavioral monitoring or targeted advertising.
New law on online gaming
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 is a major step towards addressing digital addiction and financial harm among youth.
Government action on illegal content
According to the IT Ministry, Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000 provides for notification to intermediaries to remove/disable access to unlawful content. Based on complaints, the government regularly takes action against such intermediaries and OTT platforms. The government has disabled 50 OTT platforms in India in the last two years from public access for displaying obscene content and violating sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, section 294 of the BNS and section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Concern over digital addiction in economic survey
The Economic Survey 2025-26 mentions digital addiction as a serious public health challenge that is affecting India’s children and youth, especially those in the 15-29 age group who have almost universal smartphone and internet access. The survey also highlights its deep effects on cognitive development, academic performance, workplace productivity, social engagement and mental health, manifested in the form of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, cyberbullying and financial losses caused by compulsive gaming, social media and online gambling.
This information was given by Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav in the Lok Sabha today. (ANI)
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