Sonu Sood Advocates for Under-16 Social Media Ban Following Ghaziabad Tragedy
In a heartfelt response to a devastating incident, actor Sonu Sood has called for immediate restrictions on social media and online gaming for children under the age of 16. This plea comes after three minor sisters in Ghaziabad died by suicide, with police investigations linking the tragedy to their intense addiction to online content.
Ghaziabad Sisters' Suicide Linked to Digital Obsession
The shocking event unfolded in Ghaziabad, where three sisters, aged 12, 14, and 16, jumped from their ninth-floor residence in Bharat City. According to police reports, the girls had been deeply immersed in online Korean dramas, music, and games, spending most of their time on mobile phones and having stopped attending school for over two years.
An eight-page suicide note revealed their obsession with Korean culture and their distress over family pressures, including threats of marriage and physical punishment. The note stated, "Korean was our life, so how dare you make us leave our life?" highlighting how their digital world had become their primary reality.
Sonu Sood's Emotional Appeal for Child Protection
Expressing grief over the incident, Sonu Sood took to social media to share a video message on Instagram, emphasizing the need for parental support over screen time. He said, "Unhe screen nahi, humara saath chahiye (They don't need screens, they need our support)." In his post, he added, "Social media can wait. Childhood can't," underscoring the urgency of protecting young minds.
On X, he further elaborated, writing, "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." He reiterated his stance, calling for restrictions on social media and online gaming for those under 16, except for educational purposes, and stressed that childhood requires guidance and care, not algorithms and constant screens.
Police Investigation Details the Sisters' Struggles
Additional Commissioner of Police, Ghaziabad, Alok Priyadarshi, provided insights into the case, noting that the sisters were heavily influenced by K-dramas and had isolated themselves from real-world activities. The suicide note detailed their emotional turmoil, with statements like, "Should we live in this world to be beaten by you? No, death would be better... We like and love Koreans, and we can never accept marriage with Indian men."
The tragedy was precipitated when their father deleted their social media accounts with Korean names and confiscated their phones, which he later sold to pay an electricity bill. This action, as per the note, severed their connection to what they considered their "life," leading to the fatal decision.
Broader Implications for Digital Addiction in India
This incident has reignited concerns about the risks of task-based online games and digital addiction among children in India. Sonu Sood's advocacy highlights a growing public health issue, where excessive screen exposure is increasingly linked to mental health crises. He urged parents to remain emotionally present in their children's lives, especially in an era dominated by smartphones and digital platforms.
In his concluding remarks, Sood emphasized, "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." His call to action resonates with ongoing debates about regulating digital content for minors to prevent such tragedies in the future.
