A Bengaluru engineer has expressed concern over the rampant addiction to mobile phones in the country. An automotive engineer named Manasa Manjunath came to this conclusion after observing the behavior of a car driver for a week.
In an interview with X, she wrote: “I took 4 car rides this week. All between 15-25 minutes. Every car driver was on the phone 24/7 every minute of every ride.” Her analysis extended to various workplaces, including shops, salons and stores.
Alarmed by the significant distraction that mobile devices represent in daily life and work, she added: “It’s the same in shops, salons, shops, … Everyone is busy on their phones instead of doing work. We have a serious problem with mobile phone addiction in our country.”
In the comments thread, she expressed her desire for a quiet ride, saying: “I’ve heard everything from love fights and domestic arguments to property disputes and weekend plans. At this point I just want it to stop and drive quietly.”
Reaction on social networks
Shared on March 5, the post quickly went viral, amassing 95,000 views, 2,000 likes and several comments. Social media users reacted strongly to the issue. One user wrote: “A car driver has to be on the road during the day, transporting passengers, and has to be alert at all points… these writers have to drive at all points with the same focus. Even a little sleep/fatigue can be dangerous. That’s why they talk on the phone to be alert all the time.”
Manasa Manjunath rejected this explanation and suggested that the act was a violation of traffic safety rules. In response to this comment, she said: “Driving for long periods of time has a negative impact on the ability to focus on the road and drive effectively. It increases the likelihood of making mistakes and causing accidents. Add to that a conversation that serves as a pre-existing distraction, and those chances increase even more. Being so lax about traffic safety is dangerous.”
Another user asked: “How else exactly do you think a car/cab driver is going to beat the sheer drudgery of his time?” In response, the Bengaluru engineer suggested that “music” was a good alternative.
A third comment read: “Pretty soon you’ll see them on the phone with AI rather than humans and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, humans need simulation when the work is mundane, I honestly think it sounds more dystopian than what actually happens in practice.”
A fourth user commented: “People also give you half attention when you’re still on the phone. Not only is it annoying, I found it stressful. I’ve tried a few times to wait for you to finish the call so we can talk. But it didn’t go well.”
A fifth user stated: “Then it’s not addiction, it’s just connectivity. They’re able to stay connected to their loved ones while they’re at work, which allows them to work longer.”
Economic survey 2026 warns against screen addiction
The Economic Survey 2026 defines digital addiction as “a behavioral pattern of excessive or compulsive engagement with digital devices or online activities that results in distress and functional impairment.” According to the report, it is characterized by “persistent, excessive or obsessive computer and online use that causes psychological deterioration”.
According to the survey, social media addiction is “strongly associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and cyberbullying stress,” with studies showing a high prevalence among 15-24 year olds.
