Algorithms of the mind: Protect the young from gadget overuse

India needs policy intervention to contain the harmful cognitive consequences of excessive smartphone and GenAI usage

- V. Anantha Nageswaran & Shruti Singh

Smartphones have become an extended part of us. They are so integrated into our daily life that imagining a day without them gives withdrawal symptoms to many. They almost navigate our lives.

With developments in artificial intelligence (AI), our dependence on phones has gone beyond simple reminders to complex tasks like ordering groceries, sending emails and preparing Excel presentations. The evolution of voice-enabled assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant has turned science fiction into reality. Smartphones are more than just tools; they act like modern-day talismans, constantly at our side, reflecting how we think, connect and communicate, quietly shaping our cognitive world. They serve as 'memory on demand,' storing key dates and facts that we can retrieve without having to remember them.

However, this growing dependence on smartphones is of significant concern for India, home to the world's largest adolescent population, where smartphone usage among teens has grown sharply over the years, accelerated by COVID lockdowns.

The Annual Status of Education Report (2024) notes that 90% of 14–16-year-olds in rural India have smartphone access, while 82.2% can use them; 57% do so for educational activities and 76% for social media.

Multiple surveys point to growing digital addiction among adolescents. A 2024 survey conducted by LocalCircles found that around 50% of urban Indian parents admit that their children, aged 9 to 17, are addicted to videos, gaming, and social media.