'198 Children in Eight Months': How Gujarat's Digital Detox Centres Are Battling a Growing Smartphone Addiction Emergency

Over 800 children in Gujarat have received clinical addiction treatment at government mental health facilities over the past five years, driven by compulsive screen reliance, with children accounting for 198 of these registrations between January and August.

This year alone, the Digital Detox Centre at the Government Mental Hospital in Ahmedabad recorded 572 out-patient visits, with children accounting for 198 of these registrations between January and August. Medical personnel report that an average of 25 young patients now require professional therapy each month to break free from smartphone dependence.

The rising crisis extends beyond hospital wards. State helpline data shows that out of 37,505 calls received by Abhayam teams over a two-month period, 110 involved parenting conflicts over children aged seven to 17 glued to devices.

Tragedy in Surat

The human cost of the addiction turned fatal on Friday evening in Surat. An 11-year-old girl died by suicide in the Varachha area after her mother refused to hand over her smartphone before leaving for work.

Police stated that the sixth-standard student, originally from Madhya Pradesh, locked herself inside her home in Sahajanand Society. Her mother discovered her body upon returning from her job at a local industrial unit, and later in hospital doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. Investigators note that the child exhibited severe behavioral agitation when denied access to online devices.

Clinical Realities and Counselling

Mental health experts urge a shift in how families approach youth device consumption. Dr Dipti Bhatt of Civil Hospital cautioned against simply labelling or punishing young users.

"Scolding and controlling is not enough to keep the child away from mobile phones," Dr Bhatt said. "It is necessary for parents to sit down and talk to the child, understand their problems and feelings. Loneliness, boredom, or study pressure often push children toward screens, making family time an effective solution."

Hospital superintendent Dr Ajay Chauhan noted that parental helpline calls regarding youth behavior have surged in tandem with outpatient registrations.

Patient Registrations at the Government Mental Hospital Digital Detox Centre

*Children aged 8 to 16 years.

Identifying Screen Obsession

Medical professionals outline several red flags that distinguish normal screen use from clinical dependence:

• Unusual anger and irritability when forced to put the mobile away
• Persistent anxiety or panic without access to a device
• Late-night usage that severely disrupts sleep patterns
• Complete abandonment of sports, outdoor play, and offline hobbies
• Deteriorating academic performance and social withdrawal
• Deception regarding daily screen-time totals

Practical Path Forward

Experts clarify that digital detox does not require complete technological abstinence. Instead, families are advised to implement structured boundaries, such as mandatory phone-free hours during meals, designated study periods without screens, and a strict no-device policy before bedtime to help restore balance to a child's daily routine.