Access is no longer the binding constraint, the Economic Survey 2025-26 said in its report on Thursday as it flagged the risks of social media addiction and the easy internet use availability to people in the age groups of 15-29. The report called for attention on digital hygiene and the kind of content being consumed online. Social media applications are displayed on a mobile phone. (REUTERS/Representative) The report also said that reliance and addiction to digital apps and social media impacts academic performance, workplace productivity, and mental health of youth as well as adults. “India’s youth are living in an intensely digital environment. While access fuels learning, jobs, and civic participation, compulsive and high-intensity use can impose real economic and social costs, ranging from lost study hours and reduced productivity to healthcare burdens and financial losses resulting from risky online behaviours,” the report said. Mental health risks, increased chances of scams The survey report highlighted how digital addiction can affect mental health with risks of anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, especially among teens and young …