Bengaluru: Nimhans SHUT Clinic flags alarming rise in new-age digital addictions among teens

Bengaluru’s SHUT (Service for Healthy Use of Technology) clinic, part of Nimhans, is witnessing a troubling shift in the pattern of digital addiction among youth. While gaming addiction remains a concern, clinicians now report a growing number of teenagers seeking help for compulsive social media usage, excessive live-streaming, and online trading habits.

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These new-age digital dependencies are often tied to features such as virtual gifting, paid subscriptions, and endless content scrolling. Many adolescents are increasingly drawn to fan-based live-streaming platforms, forming emotional attachments with online creators and spending long hours interacting or offering virtual rewards.

SHUT experts highlight that digital addictions are rarely isolated. Teenagers presenting with one issue, such as gaming, often exhibit overlapping compulsive behaviors, including binge-watching, adult content consumption, and obsessive engagement on apps like Instagram. The combined impact of peer pressure, loneliness, and low self-esteem has intensified post-pandemic, making recovery more complex.

Parents are increasingly concerned as children grow irritable, distracted, and socially withdrawn. The clinic’s treatment includes therapy, family counselling, and digital detox strategies. Experts emphasize that resolving these issues requires addressing deeper psychological triggers and not just reducing screen time. SHUT continues to collaborate with schools to promote awareness, encouraging families to build healthier digital habits through structured intervention and empathetic support.