BENGALURU, April 2 -- The state government on Wednesday released a draft policy to address digital usage among students through a primarily school-based framework that prioritises mental health and cyber safety.

The policy was prepared by the state department of health and family welfare, in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), said officials.

"With nearly one in four adolescents showing signs of problematic internet use, the policy recognises the rising burden of mental health issues such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, poor academic performance, and social isolation linked to excessive screen time," the document states.

State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the ill-effects of m...