New Delhi, February 26 – In a pioneering move, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, is set to establish the country’s first Centre for Advanced Research on Addictive Behaviours (CAR-AB) to combat internet and technology addiction among children and youth. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the proposal, marking a significant step in addressing the growing concern of digital dependency.
According to Dr. Yatan Pal Singh Balhara, who leads the initiative and is in charge of AIIMS Delhi’s Behavioral Addictions Clinic (BAC), excessive and problematic use of technology has emerged as a major public health concern. The Economic Survey of India (2024-25) has linked the rise in mental health issues among children and adolescents to prolonged internet usage, stressing the need for family and school-level interventions to safeguard their mental well-being.
A Comprehensive Approach to Digital Addiction
The CAR-AB will be the first center in India dedicated to evidence-based interventions for excessive technology use, particularly among young individuals. It will focus on prevention, screening, early detection, and interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of internet and technology addiction. Additionally, the center will develop educational resources for professionals in the health and education sectors to enhance their ability to address this growing issue.
Beyond intervention, the center aims to create an AI-driven predictive model to assess the vulnerability of young individuals to digital addiction. This initiative, estimated to cost ₹14 crore, will collaborate with schools, colleges, parents, teachers, and faculty from institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other medical colleges to form a nationwide network tackling technology-related addictions.
By addressing issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and dependency linked to excessive internet use, AIIMS Delhi’s CAR-AB is poised to become a key player in shaping digital well-being strategies for India's youth.
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