More Indian Children Are Using the Internet Than Older Adults, Data Shows

Internet usage in India is increasingly concentrated among younger generations, with children and teenagers emerging as some of the most active users of digital technology. Data from a nationally representative government survey shows that more than half of children aged five to nine have already used the internet, highlighting the rapid spread of digital access among young Indians.

According to the Comprehensive Modular Survey – Telecom conducted by the National Statistics Office, around 60 per cent of Indians had used the internet by 2025. Internet adoption was particularly high among teenagers and people in their twenties, while usage declined considerably among older age groups.

The survey found that 54 per cent of children between five and nine years had accessed the internet at least once during the three months preceding the survey. This means internet usage among pre-teens was higher than among people in their fifties, reflecting a significant generational difference in digital access.

The gap becomes more visible among older Indians. While internet usage is close to universal among people in their late teens and twenties, fewer than half of those in their fifties use the internet. Among people aged above 60, the proportion falls to less than one-fourth.

The figures are based on responses from individuals who reported using either a mobile phone or a computer. They were asked whether they could access the internet and whether they had used it during the previous three months.

The rapid expansion of internet use among children and teenagers has been linked in part to developments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and the shift towards online education forced many young students to use digital devices and internet services for classes, assignments and communication.

The trend illustrates how India’s digital landscape is changing across generations. Younger Indians are becoming increasingly familiar with online platforms from an early age, while older sections of the population continue to experience relatively lower levels of internet adoption.