The Maharashtra government has formed a special task group to study the growing problem of digital addiction among children and its effects on their health. The decision comes amid rising concerns over excessive screen time, online gaming, and social media use by students across the state.
Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar shared this update in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday, February 25. He said the government wants a detailed and structured review of the issue. The task group will examine the physical, psychological, and social effects of children’s growing dependence on digital devices and online games.
The task force was set up on February 2, 2026. It includes a wide range of members. These include parents, counsellors, psychiatrists, doctors, educationists, IT experts, lawyers, law enforcement officers, technologists, and government officials. Other relevant stakeholders are also part of the group.
The panel will submit its report before the next session of the state legislature. Once the report is submitted, the government will take the required steps based on its findings. A joint committee with members from both legislative houses will be formed to discuss the issue in greater detail.
The statement was made in response to a Calling Attention motion moved by Members Niranjan Davkhare and Sanjay Kenekar. During the discussion, the minister highlighted the problems linked to excessive digital use by students. These include poor concentration, sleep problems, mental stress, irritability, and social withdrawal.
The minister stressed the need to involve parents in addressing the problem. This will focus on balanced and controlled screen use. He also called for statewide awareness programmes to inform families, schools, and communities about the risks of excessive screen exposure.
Several regulatory measures are also being considered. These include adding time-out features and daily playtime limits for minors on gaming platforms. The government is exploring making an Indian gaming rating system. Regulation of loot boxes and age verification through e-KYC for gaming services are also under review.
Most legislative powers related to digital platforms lie with the Union Government of India. Currently, the gaming industry is expanding rapidly. The global gaming market is valued at over USD 200 billion. India leads the world in mobile game downloads. In Maharashtra, the gaming sector is projected to reach a value of USD 8.6 billion by 2027.
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