Maharashtra Forms Digital Addiction Task Force

The India — Maharashtra government has constituted an expert task force to study the rising problem of digital addiction among children and recommend corrective measures. This decision was announced by IT Minister Ashish Shelar in response to a calling attention motion raised by MLCs Niranjan Das and Sanjay Kenekar. The task force, formed on February 2, 2026, will include educationists, psychiatrists, legal experts, and technology specialists. It will examine various impacts of digital addiction, including mental health, educational outcomes, and cultural factors. The government is considering regulatory steps such as mandatory age verification for gaming platforms, an Indian gaming rating authority, and daily usage limits for minors. Educational initiatives like 'Digital Hygiene' in school curricula and 'Screen-Free Saturday' are also under discussion. While legislative powers primarily rest with the Central government of India, any recommendations for legal amendments from the task force will be forwarded for consideration.