Sonu Sood Advocates for Digital Protection of Children After Tragic Incident
Bollywood actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has consistently utilized his social media platforms to voice opinions on pressing societal issues. His latest intervention addresses a growing concern that has alarmed parents and authorities alike: the exposure of children to online gaming and social media platforms.
Actor's Call to Action Follows Heartbreaking Ghaziabad Case
Sood's urgent message comes in the wake of a devastating incident reported from Ghaziabad, where three sisters, aged 12, 14, and 16, died by suicide after jumping from the ninth floor of their residential building. Preliminary police investigations have linked this tragedy to potential addiction to online gaming, highlighting a disturbing trend that demands immediate attention.
Sonu Sood Raises Alarm Over Online Gaming Addiction Risks
In a heartfelt post on the social media platform X, Sonu Sood made a passionate appeal to parents, urging them to implement strict restrictions on minors' access to digital environments. He wrote, "Three young girls lost their lives in Ghaziabad today. Not to violence. Not to poverty. But to the unseen pressure of online gaming and digital addiction. I’ve raised my voice before, and I’ll say it again. Social media and online gaming must be restricted for children under 16, except for education."
His statement continued with a powerful reflection on childhood needs, emphasizing, "Childhood needs guidance, not algorithms. Care, not constant screens. This isn’t about blame. It’s about protection before it’s too late. Let this not become another headline we forget. It’s time to act."
Video Message Reinforces Emotional Availability of Parents
Complementing his written post, Sonu Sood also shared a video where he directly addressed the issue of online gaming addiction. In the video, he stressed the importance of emotional presence over digital engagement, stating in Hindi, "Unhe screen nahi, humara saath chahiye (They don't need screens, they need our presence)."
He reiterated his core message, "Childhood needs guidance, not algorithms," and concluded with a poignant reminder: "Social media can wait. Childhood can’t."
Details Emerge About the Ghaziabad Tragedy
Investigative reports indicate that the three sisters had developed an intense obsession with a Korean task-based online game. Authorities believe this addiction began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when many turned to digital platforms for entertainment and connection.
The game reportedly had a profound impact on their daily routines, behavior, and mental well-being, altering their self-perception and social interactions. Assistant Police Commissioner Atul Kumar Singh commented on the case, stating, "Preliminary findings suggest the sisters had developed an intense obsession with a Korean-themed online game during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, which significantly altered their behavior, routines, and self-perception."
This incident underscores the critical need for awareness and preventive measures regarding digital consumption among young people, as advocated by public figures like Sonu Sood.
