Lok Sabha Question No. 262 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Impact of Online Gaming Addiction
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Ms. S Jothimani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *262

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 19.03.2025

## IMPACT OF ONLINE GAMING ADDICTION

## *262.  MS. S JOTHIMANI:

Will  the  Minister  of  ELECTRONICS  &  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY  be  pleased  to state:-

- (a) whether the Union Government has conducted any study on the impact of online gaming addiction particularly its link to suicides among youth and if so, the key findings thereof;
- (b)  the  number  of  reported  suicides  linked  to  online  gaming  during  the  last  three  years, Statewise along with the measures taken to address this issue;
- (c) whether the Government plans to ban online games associated with suicides and mental health concerns and if so, the details of proposed regulations or restrictions; and (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  THE  REPLY  TO  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  262*  FOR  19.03.2025  REGARDING  IMPACT  OF  ONLINE GAMING ADDICTION

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(a) to (d): The policies of the Central Government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable Internet for its users. To help achieve this aim, the Central Government after extensive  consultations  with  relevant  stakeholders  notified  amendments  to  the  Information Technology  (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021  ('IT Rules') under the  Information  Technology  Act,  2000  ('IT  Act')  to  address  various  socioeconomic concerns emanating from online games. The Government is cognizant of the risks posed by online gaming and potential harms like addiction.

The  IT  Rules,  2021  casts  specific  obligations  on  online  gaming  intermediaries,  including other  intermediaries,  social  media  intermediaries  or  platforms  in  relation  to  online  games. Such intermediaries are required not to host, store or publish any information violative of any law for the time being in force.  They are also obligated to ensure their  accountability that includes  their  expeditious  action  towards  removal  of  the  unlawful  information  categorised under the IT Rules, 2021 or on the basis of grievances received against any information that, among other things, is harmful to child or that is relating or encouraging money laundering or gambling.

Further, IT Acthas provisions to issue blocking orders to intermediaries for blocking access to specific  information/  link  in  the  interest  of  sovereignty  and  integrity,  defence  of  India, security  of  the  State,  friendly  relations  with  foreign  States  or  public  order  or  for  inciting cognizable  offence  relating  to  above  following  the  due  process  as envisaged  in  the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information for  Public)  Rules,  2009.  MeitY  has  issued  1298  blocking  directions  related  to  online betting/gambling/gaming  websites  (including  mobile  applications)  between  the  year  202224.

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs compiles and publishes  statistical  data  on  crimes  in  its  publication  'Crime  in  India'.  NCRB  doesn't maintain any specific data related to suicides linked to online gaming.

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