Teachers to be trained by Nimhans experts to identify technology addiction in students

Bengaluru: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday announced that teachers across the state will be trained by experts from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) to identify technology addiction among students.

The training will focus on the ‘5C’ model — craving, control, compulsion, coping, and consequences.

Speaking at a press conference on the recently released draft policy regulating mobile phone use among students, Rao said, "A structured Training of Trainers (ToT) model will equip teachers with the skills needed to address addiction. This will be implemented across all schools and colleges, including both private and government institutions.”

The policy currently targets students in Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12. Teachers will be trained to identify behavioural and academic red flags and guide students through appropriate referral pathways to counsellors and mental health professionals.

The government also aims to raise awareness among parents through regular guidance and engagement sessions conducted by schools. Additionally, the policy proposes limiting mobile phone usage to less than one hour per day.

"Issues such as anxiety, sleep disorders, and social isolation have been linked to excessive phone use. To address these concerns, we have introduced this policy,” Rao said.

The Health Department has published the draft policy on its website for public feedback. "We encourage the public to share their views. If there are valid suggestions, we will consider them and make necessary revisions,” he added.

The draft policy can be accessed here: https://hfwcom.karnataka.gov.in/en.

Feedback can be sent to [e-mail] and [e-mail].