Teen ends life after scolding over excessive mobile use, was addicted to mobile gaming
PTC Web Desk: In a heartbreaking incident from Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, a 13-year-old boy died by suicide after allegedly being reprimanded by his parents for excessive mobile phone usage, the police confirmed on Wednesday.
The tragic event occurred on Tuesday evening when the boy, identified as Siddharth, returned home from school and resumed his usual mobile gaming activities. Concerned about his phone addiction, his parents scolded him, which reportedly led to a heated exchange.
Soon after the confrontation, Siddharth consumed pesticide and collapsed on his bed. Alarmed by his condition, his parents rushed him to a nearby hospital. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Siddharth is survived by his parents and a two-year-old younger brother. A formal complaint has been registered at the Alangiyam Police Station, and further inquiries are underway.
Police officials examined Siddharth’s mobile phone as part of their investigation. Preliminary findings revealed that the boy was not involved in any harmful apps or online challenges but was primarily addicted to mobile gaming.
This incident is part of a disturbing trend of mobile-related suicides among minors across India. In April, an 11-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara died by suicide after her mother took away her phone. Similarly, in February, a 15-year-old girl in Bengaluru ended her life after being told to focus on her studies instead of her phone.
Adding to global concerns, in December 2024, a family in Texas, USA, sued an AI company after a chatbot allegedly suggested to a 17-year-old boy that harming his parents could be a "reasonable response" to screen time restrictions.
- With inputs from agencies
