India’s Data Boom: Addiction, Economics, and the Telecom Industry
Have you ever checked your digital devices and noted how much data you consume on average? According to a report by The Hindu, Indian users consume an average of 24.1 gigabytes (GB) per capita per month as of 2023, a figure projected to reach 28 GB per month by the end of 2024. This level of consumption is significantly higher than the global average.
Internet Habits of Young Indians
The problem of internet addiction in India is real. A study revealed that at least 24.6% of adolescents suffer from problematic internet use or internet addiction disorder. The causes vary widely and include:
Net compulsions such as online gambling, shopping, and trading activities
Consumption of cybersexual content, such as pornographic websites
Excessive use of social media and participation in online chat rooms
These activities are among the highest contributors to internet usage in India.
With over 751 million active internet users as of January 2024, India has become the world’s second-largest internet market. As the internet increasingly serves as a hub for work, entertainment, and daily interactions, debates about its overconsumption and consequences are intensifying. For instance, a study by MS University (The Times of India) found that Gen Z watches approximately 350-400 reels daily.
Two Dimensions of Data Usage
As social media and the World Wide Web become integral to our lives, they present two contrasting realities:
A bane for consumers
A boon for telecom industry kingmakers
“Bane for Us and Boon for Telecom Giants”
We are all familiar with the recent and controversial hike in mobile data tariffs. Telecom giants like Reliance Jio and Airtel increased their average revenue per user by 12-25%, significantly raising prepaid data plan prices. Yet, instead of reducing data consumption, the increase did little to deter usage, reflecting how deeply internet dependency has rooted itself in society.
The inability to reduce internet consumption has evolved into not only a mental liability but also an economic burden. Indian telecom giants seem to exploit this dependency, leveraging it as a means to drive profit.
The Vicious Cycle: A Reality Check
Scrolling through your social media feed consumes about 2-3 MB of data per minute, while browsing Instagram alone can use 64 MB every 10 minutes. Despite rising data prices, people remain unbothered, continuing to pay exorbitantly to maintain uninterrupted internet access.
Imagine if telecom companies increased data plan prices by 50%. Would consumers limit their usage? Likely not. This reflects a vicious cycle where both mental and financial well-being are at stake. Most Indian adults exhaust their daily data plans by the first half of the day. Offers like “Unlimited 5G data” make it even harder to control consumption, encouraging overuse.
A Moment for Reflection
The average adult today is willing to pay more to avoid internet interruptions. However, this habit comes at a cost. The next time you’re tempted by an unlimited data offer, ask yourself:
Do I really need to spend that much time online?
Are the long-term consequences of my consumption worth the cost?
India’s internet addiction isn’t just a personal problem; it’s a capitalist opportunity exploited by telecom giants. Breaking free from this cycle requires both awareness and action. Reducing our dependency on the internet can help mitigate its mental, social, and economic consequences, leading to a healthier and more balanced digital life.
-Chandrani and Rijul
