Lok Sabha Question No. 5226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-24
Subject: Dependence on Digital Communication Tools
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Hemant Patil, Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5226

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 24.07.2019

## DEPENDENCE ON DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TOOLS

## 5226.    SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL: DR. AMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  increase  use  and  dependence  on  digital  tools among  children  and  adults  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the Government thereto;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  baseline  study  to  assess  the  increasing dependence  on  digital  and  communication  tools  among  citizens,  in  both  private  and professional life;
- (c) if so, the details and the findings thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the steps undertaken by the Government to regulate the use of digital and communication tools by citizens in personal and professional life;
- (e) whether the Government is considering to establish digital detox centres; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a),  (b)  and  (c):  India  is  today  emerging  as  a  big  digital  power  with a  proactive people-centric program  of  creating  digital  infrastructure  focusing  on  digital  delivery  of  services  and  thereby digital empowerment leading to digital inclusion where every common man is enjoying benefits of digital governance.  Of late India has also become an important country where social media platforms  have  spread  their  wings.  Social  media  platforms  have  become  the  most  prominent media to facilitate interactions. The spread of social media has also in its own way contributed to awareness, connectivity, education, community self-help, information and updates, and business promotion. All this could happen because the big digital economy operates beyond geographical borders.

With the proliferation of social media sites, the desire to stay connected online has grown over the years. Digital technologies, such as social networks, online shopping, and games, use a set of persuasive and motivational techniques to keep users returning. Technology is designed to utilise the basic human need to feel a sense of belonging and connecting with others.

(d): The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 has provisions for regulating the use of digital and communication tools by citizens in personal and professional life.  Section 79 of the Act and rules  notified  therein  pertaining  to  intermediaries  expects  users  not  to  host,  display,  upload, modify,  publish,  transmit,  update  or  share  any  information  that  is  harmful,  objectionable,  and unlawful in any way.  Intermediaries are required to disable/remove unlawful content on being notified by appropriate government or its agency.

MeitY under its Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) programme creates user awareness at all levels on issues relating to safe and secure use of digital and communications tools. A dedicated website for information security awareness (https://www.infosecawareness.in) has also been set up.

(e) and (f): There is no such proposal with the Ministry.

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