New Delhi, March 26
During a recent session of the Lok Sabha, Dr. Amar Singh of the Indian National Congress (INC) highlighted the growing issue of online gaming addiction in India. He noted that over 50 crore individuals are engaged in online gaming, with a significant number developing addictive behaviors.
Dr. Singh pointed out that online gaming companies often design their platforms to initially allow users to win, subsequently leading to losses, which can contribute to addictive patterns. He raised two pertinent questions to the minister:
1. Will the government and the ministry take steps to regulate the algorithms used by online gaming companies?
2. What is the current number of children, youth, and laborers involved in online gaming within the country?
This concern echoes previous discussions in the Lok Sabha. For instance, in August 2023, a member flagged that 3.5% of adolescents suffer from gaming disorder, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures. 
The government has acknowledged these concerns and, through the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, has mandated that permissible online games should be free from wagering and should not cause user harm or addiction. 
As online gaming continues to grow in popularity, the call for stricter regulations and monitoring mechanisms is gaining momentum to safeguard vulnerable populations from potential harm.
