Bihar moves to curb children’s screen addiction

Digital habits are reshaping childhood across India. However, the growing dependency on screens now alarms families and lawmakers alike.

In Bihar, the government has acknowledged the growing crisis.

Consequently, it has begun drafting a policy to regulate children’s use of social media, online games, and mobile screens.

The issue surfaced in the Bihar Assembly on 23 February 2026. Samridh Verma, MLA from Sikta in West Champaran, raised concern over excessive phone use among children.

He shared that during village visits, he often sees youngsters scrolling for hours. Therefore, he urged the state to fix screen-time limits for specific age groups.

Moreover, he recommended coordinated action by the IT, health, and education departments. According to him, Bihar needs a structured awareness plan.

In response, IT Minister Shreyasi Singh called the matter serious and urgent. She noted that the Union government has already issued advisory guidelines.

Nevertheless, she stressed that implementation requires collective effort. Parents, teachers, experts, and administrators must work together.

Notably, Bihar has sought expert guidance from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru.

Once the institute submits its recommendations, departments will frame a standard regulatory framework. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary confirmed that a comprehensive policy is underway.

Verma described digital addiction as an invisible epidemic. He warned that endless scrolling weakens concentration and harms academic growth.

Furthermore, he explained that reels and online games trigger dopamine release. As a result, children may find real-world activities dull and unstimulating.

He also questioned the broader digital push. The state plans to teach AI skills to nearly 10 million students.

Yet, he argued, safeguards against excessive screen exposure remain unclear. Without preventive measures, technological ambition may carry unintended costs.

Although mobile phones enable learning, unchecked use poses risks. Therefore, Bihar’s proposed framework seeks balance rather than restriction alone.

The coming policy may shape how young users engage with technology. If executed well, it could protect futures while embracing progress.

Image Credit: संजीव कुमार, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BiharDistricts_hi.svg