The Union Government has outlined a broad framework to address digital addiction, protect children online and strengthen cyber awareness across India. More than 11.37 lakh people have been reached through 6,650 workshops conducted under the Information Security Education and Awareness programme, while 50 over-the-top platforms have been disabled for public access during the past two years over obscene content and alleged violations of applicable laws. The details were presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on July 22, 2026.
The government’s approach is built around the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These provisions require social-media platforms and other intermediaries to exercise due diligence and inform users against publishing or transmitting content that harms children or violates Indian law.
Recent amendments to the IT Rules have introduced faster compliance timelines. Social-media companies and other intermediaries are required to remove unlawful content within three hours after receiving an order from a competent court or a reasoned direction from an authorised government agency. The measure is intended to limit the circulation of harmful material and improve accountability across digital platforms.
Children’s data privacy is also covered by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. The law provides for parental consent before processing a child’s personal data and restricts practices considered harmful to children, including behavioural monitoring, online tracking and targeted advertising.
The government has also linked digital well-being with the regulation of online gaming. It cited the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, as an important measure for addressing compulsive gaming, financial losses and addiction-related risks among young users.
Action against harmful entertainment content has continued under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. According to the government, 50 OTT platforms were disabled for access in India during the past two years for displaying obscene material and for violations involving Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
The Economic Survey 2025–26 identified digital addiction as an emerging public-health challenge, particularly among people aged 15–29, who have extensive access to smartphones and the internet. Excessive gaming, social-media use and online gambling were associated with risks affecting sleep, mental well-being, academic performance, productivity, social relationships and personal finances.
Awareness and education form another major part of the government’s response. The Information Security Education and Awareness project has organised 6,650 workshops for students, teachers, law-enforcement personnel, government employees and members of the public. Multilingual handbooks, posters, videos, brochures and children’s cartoon stories have also been distributed through digital, print and social-media channels.
CERT-In regularly publishes cybersecurity advisories, infographics and videos covering online fraud, cyberattacks and child-safety measures. The Ministry of Education’s PRAGYATA Guidelines provide a framework for responsible digital learning, while the Central Board of Secondary Education has promoted cyber etiquette, teacher training, school Cyber Clubs and its Cyber Security Handbook. NCERT has incorporated cyber-safety themes into educational resources and senior-secondary curricula.
Together, these measures combine platform accountability, data protection, content regulation, gaming safeguards, school education and public awareness. Their effectiveness will depend on consistent enforcement, cooperation from technology companies and continued efforts to equip children, parents and educators with the skills needed to navigate digital environments safely.
Reference
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
“Government Strengthens Safeguards Against Digital Addiction;
11.37L+ Citizens Reached Through 6,650 Cyber Awareness Workshops”
Published: 22 July 2026, 1:16 PM
Release ID: 2287639
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2287639&lang=1
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