Actor Sonu Sood has expressed his concerns following the tragic deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad, who died by suicide after jumping from their residential building. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he called for restrictions on social media and online gaming for children under the age of 16, advocating for their use only for educational purposes.
Sood highlighted the pressing nature of this issue, stating, “Childhood needs guidance, not algorithms.” He referred to the incident involving the sisters, emphasizing that their struggles emanated not from violence or poverty, but from the pressures linked to online gaming and digital addiction. The actor is determined to revisit this subject, underlining the need for a proactive response.
According to Sood, the situation calls for care rather than screen time, stressing the importance of taking action before further tragedies occur. “Let this not become another headline we forget,” he urged, indicating a necessity for immediate measures to protect young individuals.
The incident itself revealed that the sisters had developed a strong addiction to a Korean online game. Police reported that the event transpired in the early hours at a high-rise apartment complex where they lived with their parents. The family dynamics included the eldest sister being from the father’s first marriage, while the younger girls were from his second wife.
Investigations led by Assistant Police Commissioner Atul Kumar Singh suggest that the sisters’ obsession with the game intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic, which had a noticeable impact on their behavior and academic performance. Notably, it was revealed that the eldest sister, despite being 16 years old, was still in the fourth grade, and all three girls showed irregular attendance at school.
The implications of this tragic event extend beyond immediate loss, highlighting the broader concerns surrounding digital addiction and its effects on the younger population. In light of these findings, the importance of discussing and addressing mental health support emerges as crucial. For anyone in need, it is essential to reach out to a mental health specialist. Several helplines are available, including Aasra at 022 2754 6669, Sneha India Foundation at +914424640050, and Sanjivini at 011-24311918.