SHUT Clinic’s Initiative on Tech Addiction Sees 5,000 Sign-Ups

Swift Summary

• The SHUT Clinic at NIMHANS Center for Well Being has received around 5,000 registrations within two months for its parent group aimed at managing technology addiction in children.
• Over 1,000 parents have been trained in dealing with issues related to children’s excessive screen use.
• Training sessions, originally spread across four Saturdays, were condensed into two due to high demand. These sessions focus on setting limits for screen time and encouraging healthy offline activities.
• To handle demand, the clinic is scaling up capacity by developing online modules and training more facilitators.
• Sharp increases in requests for help have been noted during and post-COVID pandemic due to factors like online schooling and increased gadget access among children.
• Parents express helplessness when managing children’s behavior linked to excessive screen usage; experts emphasize understanding psychological triggers behind such behaviors.
• The Digital Detox helpline run by SHUT receives about 30-40 monthly calls from students, professionals, and parents seeking strategies to address screen addiction issues.

indian Opinion Analysis
The growing demand for the services offered by the SHUT Clinic reflects an increasing awareness of technology addiction as a serious mental health concern among Indian families. It also underscores a broader shift towards recognizing behavioral health impacts of modern digital habits amplified during the COVID pandemic era.

most importantly, this initiative demonstrates that addressing excessive technology use requires multi-faceted interventions involving not only children but also their families’ routines and parenting practices. The inclusion of training modules focusing on family dynamics presents an inclusive approach likely more effective than punitive measures alone.

The rise in calls for support shows India is still grappling with balancing technological benefits against its unintended consequences-especially on younger populations vulnerable to overuse during critical developmental stages. Scaling these interventions equitably across urban and rural settings would be key as digital connectivity grows nationwide.

For further information: Contact NIMHANS Centre – (080) 26685948 or nimhans.wellbeing@gmail.com