All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), in Delhi, will open its first facility specifically designed to assist kids and young people in overcoming internet and technology addiction. The proposal to establish the Centre for Advanced Research on Addictive Behaviors (CAR-AB), which would address excessive and problematic technology usage, was recently accepted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Yatan Pal Singh Balhara, Faculty in-charge of the Behavioral Addictions Clinic (BAC) at AIIMS, Delhi who is leading this project, said, Excessive and problematic use of technology has been recognised as a major public health problem.”
Increase in mental health issues in children
The Economic Survey of India (2024–25), according to Dr. Balhara, has connected the rise in mental health problems among kids and teens to excessive internet use. This underscores the urgent need for family- and school-level interventions to keep kids and teens off the internet in order to improve their mental health.
“This is a first-of-its-kind centre in the country that has been mandated to develop evidence-based intervention targeted at excessive and problematic use of technology, especially among the children and the youth,” Dr Balhara said.
He said that the facility will treat a wide range of addictive behaviors. Prevention, screening, early diagnosis, and intervention for internet and technology-related addictions in children and young people would be the goals of the interventions.
This will help reduce stress, depression, anxiety
Furthermore, training materials will be developed to provide professionals in the healthcare and education sectors the abilities they need to successfully avoid and manage these problems. Dr. Balhara claims that the suggested treatments will also help reduce stress, anxiety, sadness, and addiction that are associated with excessive use of technology and the internet.
The organization also intends to create a prediction model driven by AI to identify youth who may be at risk of inappropriate digital use. He noted that a budget of Rs 14 crore is anticipated for the project.
In relation to excessive and problematic technology use, he stated that the CAR-AB would collaborate with parents, teachers, faculty, students, and other members of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other medical colleges to establish a nationwide network aimed at tackling internet and technology-related addictions.
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