The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi is set to establish the country’s first centre dedicated to tackling internet addiction among children and youth. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the proposal for the Centre for Advanced Research on Addictive Behaviours (CAR-AB). The centre will focus on prevention, early detection, and intervention strategies to address the growing concern of excessive internet use and its impact on mental health. Dr.
Yatan Pal Singh Balhara, faculty in-charge of the Behavioral Addictions Clinic (BAC) at AIIMS Delhi, will lead the project. The Economic Survey of India (2024-25) has identified excessive internet use as a major contributor to mental health issues among children and adolescents. The survey urged immediate interventions at the school and family levels to tackle this issue.
CAR-AB aims to develop structured initiatives for children and youth struggling with tech addiction. It will also provide resources for parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals to manage these challenges. One of the key features of the project is an AI-powered predictive model that can identify individuals at risk of excessive technology use.
This will enable early intervention and prevention strategies.
Addressing youth tech addiction
The Rs 14 crore project will collaborate with schools, colleges, and experts from IITs and other medical institutions.
The goal is to create a national response to technology-related behavioral disorders. Dr. Balhara emphasized the need for a collaborative approach involving educators, healthcare providers, families, and policymakers to combat the growing issue of digital addiction.
“This centre will focus on prevention, screening, and intervention to manage excessive technology use. We need structured measures at school and family levels to address this growing issue,” Dr. Balhara said.
The centre will also create training materials for healthcare and education professionals to help them recognize and manage technology-related addiction. The proposed strategies aim to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety linked to excessive internet use. By addressing the issue at a policy and research level, AIIMS Delhi aims to provide long-term solutions for managing digital dependency among India’s youth.
The centre’s research and intervention strategies could serve as a model for similar initiatives in the future.
