Issue of increasing mobile phone habit among youth and children raised in Rajya Sabha Gujarati
New Delhi, 27 March 2026: Shocking revelations were made in the Rajya Sabha on Friday about the digital addiction that is plaguing the country’s youth. Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien, while raising this issue during Zero Hour, had claimed that approximately 20 thousand children are committing suicide every year in the country due to mobile and screen addiction. He appealed to the government to take immediate action against this crisis and start a comprehensive dialogue.
Derek O’Brien, citing various surveys, said that today’s children and youth spend an average of 8 hours a day behind mobile or other digital screens. If this calculation is done, then out of 365 days of the year, more than 100 days are spent behind the screen only. He further added that, realizing its seriousness, 68 countries of the world have already banned mobile phones in schools.
Explaining the biological aspect of this problem, he said that excessive use of screens increases the level of ‘dopamine’ in the brain. Due to this, the brain immediately receives ‘reward signal’, which gradually changes the behavior and takes the form of serious digital addiction. Excessive screen time disrupts sleep, increases anxiety and is the main reason for rapid changes in mood.
The MP also gave some interesting and effective suggestions to get rid of this addiction at the personal level. He said, before picking up the phone, ask yourself ‘What is it?’, count to 10 before hanging up the phone. Keep mobile gadgets charging in another room. Stay away from screens for at least two hours before sleeping. Also set a fixed time of the day for ‘Sound of Silence’ when the phone is not used at all.
The TMC MP had requested the government to make a policy to encourage the use of mobile phones as per need. He laid emphasis on promoting offline activities and sports and creating awareness at the national level about the effects of digital addiction on the mental health of youth. He finally added that, if we do not wake up now, the mental health of the coming generations will be put at risk.
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