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Introduction
India stands at the cusp of a digital revolution, birthing entrepreneurs at an unprecedented pace. Yet, beneath this surge lies a growing concern—one that isn’t about capital or infrastructure, but cognition. Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com and a popular judge on Shark Tank India, recently raised a red flag over India’s increasing dependency on social media. In a powerful LinkedIn post, Mittal warned that the true brain drain India faces isn’t its talent leaving for Silicon Valley, but the intellectual atrophy caused by endless scrolling. His perspective is timely, unsettling, and opens up a much-needed conversation about the psychological cost of the digital age.
India’s Real Brain Drain: Not Talent Migration, but Mental Stagnation
In his compelling LinkedIn post, Anupam Mittal argues that India’s gravest brain drain isn’t a flight to foreign lands—it’s the silent surrender of cognitive potential to mindless content. The very minds capable of shaping India’s future are losing themselves in an avalanche of short-form videos, algorithm-driven feeds, and AI-generated “inspiration” that lacks depth.
Mittal laments the rise of what he calls “thumb warriors”—a generation that consumes entertainment passively and excessively. From prank videos to dance challenges, he believes digital consumption has become as common as daily meals, comparing it to “roti-sabzi.” He points out that while India skipped the Western media evolution—from radio to TV to cable—jumping directly into the world of internet reels, it also missed the gradual cultural adaptation needed to handle this shift responsibly.
Sharing a personal anecdote, Mittal reveals how his 7-year-old, who begins watching Peppa Pig, ends up spiraling into a chaotic stream of auto-recommended content. The implication is clear: even children are not immune to the algorithmic vortex designed to maximize screen time at the cost of meaningful engagement.
Mittal goes further to outline a dystopian vision—a society where teens are disconnected, adults are disengaged, and play, conversation, and critical thinking are in decline. With artificial intelligence amplifying digital stimulation, he warns of a future where constant content consumption replaces real-life interaction and creativity.
However, Mittal clarifies that this isn’t a crusade against technology. It’s not a plea to uninstall social media. Rather, it’s a father’s heartfelt rant, and an open invitation to parents, professionals, educators, and entrepreneurs to reflect and act. His final question hits hard: how do we ensure that the India we’re building doesn’t forget to look up?
What Undercode Say: Digital Diet and Cognitive Nutrition
Mittal’s warning aligns with broader concerns we’ve seen across our research and user engagement at Undercode. India is fast becoming a tech superpower, but digital consumption patterns show signs of cognitive overload and emotional disconnection.
1. Attention Economy Hijack
Social platforms thrive on engagement metrics. Reels, TikToks, Shorts—they’re all designed to exploit the brain’s dopamine pathways. India, with its youthful population and rapid smartphone penetration, is the perfect playground. But what’s being compromised? Deep work, reflective thinking, and emotional regulation.
2. Algorithmic Rabbit Holes
The anecdote of Mittal’s child reflects a common reality. Platforms don’t just serve content—they serve endless content. Autoplay and personalized recommendations can shift user attention from educational videos to addictive or bizarre content in minutes. Kids lose focus; adults lose hours.
3. Cultural Context and Digital Evolution
Unlike the West, India’s leap into the digital age was abrupt. There was no buffer of gradual exposure to media formats. The absence of foundational media literacy has made users more susceptible to manipulation and overstimulation.
4. Play Deprivation and Social Withdrawal
Children are increasingly replacing physical play with virtual simulations. From Minecraft to infinite YouTube loops, physical and emotional development is being replaced by screen-fed dopamine loops. This isn’t just about screen time—it’s about missed life experiences.
5. AI: The Double-Edged Sword
Generative AI adds another layer to the dilemma. On one hand, it democratizes access to information and creativity. On the other, it floods feeds with hyper-optimized, shallow content. The line between quality and quantity blurs. As AI refines content delivery, human discernment must evolve faster.
6. Cognitive Fatigue and Decision Paralysis
With so much stimulation, the brain enters a state of fatigue. People begin to avoid long-form reading, deep learning, and even meaningful conversations. It’s easier to swipe. This leads to fragmented attention spans, poor memory retention, and diminished problem-solving skills.
7. The Parenting Gap
Parents, often unaware of algorithmic architecture, allow unrestricted access thinking it’s harmless. But unmoderated consumption creates habits that are hard to break later in life. Parents must now double as digital mentors.
8. Possible Solutions
What India needs is not censorship, but a new cultural literacy. Schools must teach media awareness. Parents should model conscious digital behavior. Startups can innovate in the edtech space to provide engaging, purposeful digital alternatives. Tech companies must prioritize ethics over metrics.
Anupam Mittal has started a crucial dialogue.
🕵️ Fact Checker Results
✅ Authenticity: Mittal’s comments are verified and directly quoted from his official LinkedIn post.
✅ Relevance: Concerns align with recent studies on screen addiction in India.
✅ Credibility: Anupam Mittal is a trusted voice in tech and entrepreneurship, lending weight to the issue.
🔮 Prediction
If the current trajectory of digital overstimulation continues unchecked, India could face a paradox: a technologically advanced society with mentally and emotionally underdeveloped citizens. However, with timely awareness, policy changes, and a shift in digital behavior—especially among youth—India still has the chance to pivot and redefine how technology enhances rather than erodes its intellectual future.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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