New Delhi, March 27 TMC MP Derek O’Brien expressed concern over the increasing problem of digital addiction among children and adults in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
Raising the issue in the Upper House, O’Brien cited findings from studies to show that children and young people are spending up to eight hours a day on screens and mobile phones, which amounts to nearly 100 days a year.
"Sixty-eight countries in the world have banned mobile phones from entering schools because once this happens, sleep patterns change. There is a risk of anxiety and mood swings," he said, adding that 20,000 children commit suicide due to digital addiction.
Highlighting the biological aspects, he said that mobile use causes a dopamine (also called the "feel-good" hormone) spike, under which the brain receives a rapid reward signal, leading to reinforcement of the behavior. "This produces digital addiction," he stated.
Suggesting corrective measures, he said, one should ask oneself why one is picking up one's phone. “When you go to pick up your phone, ask yourself, Why are you picking up your phone?"
Referring to experts' suggestions, he said a person should count up to ten before touching the phone.
His other suggestions include keeping the phone in another room while charging, and staying away from it for two hours before going to bed.
He linked digital addiction with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of voters in West Bengal. "Let's say you are looking at the screen of the Election Commission of India. Your brain will get scrambled because every voter in Bengal is under adjudication. That's one example. It is happening now.”
This prompted the Chair to urge him not to deviate from the main subject.
Derek also suggested encouraging mindful usage, promoting offline activities, and having more conversations about mental health. "I appeal to the government to discuss this issue of digital addiction," he said, adding that a few months from now, the TMC will take this up in West Bengal when Mamata Banerjee is voted back as Chief Minister for the fourth time.