AI Generated Summary
- The Gurdaspur administration has launched an innovative initiative by starting “Internet de-addiction clinics” aimed at school and college students, addressing the growing concern of excessive internet and social media use among the youth.
- Students, parents, and educators have welcomed the initiative, with many viewing it as a much-needed step to foster mindful technology use in an increasingly connected world.
- The program gained momentum following the observance of Safer Internet Day on February 10, which served as a catalyst for rolling out these targeted interventions in educational institutions.
The Gurdaspur administration has launched an innovative initiative by starting “Internet de-addiction clinics” aimed at school and college students, addressing the growing concern of excessive internet and social media use among the youth.
In a proactive step to promote healthier digital habits, the district administration in Gurdaspur, Punjab, has initiated special “Internet de-addiction” classes. These sessions are designed with two main goals: helping young people reduce over-dependence on social media and the internet, and guiding them toward ethical and responsible use of cyberspace.
The program gained momentum following the observance of Safer Internet Day on February 10, which served as a catalyst for rolling out these targeted interventions in educational institutions.
The inaugural session took place at the Government Senior Secondary School for Boys in Gurdaspur. It was led and supervised by District Informatics Officer (DIO) Karan Soni, who emphasized practical strategies for managing screen time and online behavior.
Participants were educated on the risks associated with internet addiction, often described by experts as a “disease” that becomes increasingly difficult to overcome once it takes hold. Sessions included advice on adopting strong authentication practices, recognizing signs of problematic usage, and balancing online activities with real-world interactions, studies, and physical well-being.
This move comes amid rising awareness of digital dependency’s impact on mental health, academic performance, and social relationships among adolescents and young adults. Punjab has long battled substance abuse issues, but authorities are now expanding focus to emerging behavioral addictions like excessive internet use, particularly in border districts like Gurdaspur.
Local officials have described the clinics as a timely and novel effort to safeguard the younger generation from the negative effects of unchecked digital consumption. Plans are underway to extend these classes to more schools and colleges across the district in the coming weeks.
Students, parents, and educators have welcomed the initiative, with many viewing it as a much-needed step to foster mindful technology use in an increasingly connected world. The administration hopes these de-addiction efforts will empower students to harness the internet’s benefits while avoiding its pitfalls.
