New Delhi: In a first across the globe, Australia last month implemented a ban on social media for children under 16. ADVERTISEMENTIndia might well tread on a similar path soon, if observations of the Economic Survey 2025-26 are any indicator. The Economic Survey, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, has flagged the rapid rise of digital addiction and screen-related mental health challenges, particularly among children and adolescents in our country. ‘Digital addiction’ has been defined as a pattern of persistent, excessive, or compulsive use of digital devices and online activities that leads to psychological distress and functional impairment. The report has raised specific concern over social media addiction, which it says is strongly associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, cyberbullying stress and higher suicide rates.