The tragic deaths of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad on Wednesday, February 4 who allegedly jumped from their ninth-floor apartment after their parents restricted their mobile phone usage have prompted immediate and renewed concern among mental health professionals in Karnataka. The incident has highlighted the severe psychological withdrawal symptoms associated with digital dependency, forcing experts at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) to reiterate the need for clinical intervention rather than simple prohibition.
While the Ghaziabad police continue to investigate the specific triggers, including potential addiction to Korean task-based games or social media, the reaction in Bengaluru has been one of urgent caution. The state’s mental health infrastructure, particularly the Service for Healthy Use of Technology (SHUT) Clinic, has flagged a steady rise in adolescents seeking help for “problematic technology use.”
The “Dopamine Trap” and Withdrawal
Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the SHUT Clinic at NIMHANS, told The Hindu that the Ghaziabad incident exemplifies the extreme behavioral responses that can occur when a “digital crutch” is abruptly removed without support.
According to Dr. Sharma, gaming platforms are engineered to be immersive, utilizing constant reward systems that trigger dopamine release. “These design features create a sense of achievement and belonging that some children may not experience in the offline world,” he explained. When this access is cut off, especially for adolescents whose impulse control systems are still developing, the reaction can be volatile.
The SHUT clinic has observed that gaming is rarely the sole problem; it often masks underlying emotional vulnerabilities. “Gaming often becomes a form of emotional escape rather than entertainment,” Dr. Sharma noted. “In such cases, restricting screen time alone will not address the problem unless the underlying distress be it academic decline, loneliness, or lack of social support is identified and managed.”
Karnataka’s Addiction Statistics
Data from a recent NIMHANS study cited by Dr. Sharma paints a concerning picture for the state. The prevalence of technology addiction in Karnataka is estimated at 10.69%.
- Mobile Phone Addiction: Accounts for 8.91% of the cases.
- Gaming Addiction: Accounts for 2.55%.
While 2.55% may appear statistically small, in a state with a high density of digital access like Karnataka, this translates to a significant number of at-risk youth. The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled earlier this week, also flagged this issue, noting that the SHUT Clinic and the state’s “Digital Detox Centre” are currently the only specialized buffers against a growing national crisis.
The Role of Policy and Parenting
The tragedy has also brought attention to the Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2025, which aims to curb financial harm and addiction by banning wagering and regulating content. However, experts argue that legislation cannot replace parental engagement.
Dr. Murali Krishna, a consultant in Psychiatry at Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, emphasized that the “normalization” of screens as digital babysitters has eroded face-to-face relationship building. “Children who spend long hours gaming may show irritability and impatience when asked to stop. The constant stimulation conditions the brain to seek quick rewards, making routine activities less engaging,” he said.
NIMHANS has responded to this gap by launching the Parent Group for Management of Technology Addiction (PGMTA). Since July 2025, these Saturday online sessions have attracted over 5,500 parents, averaging 300 registrations weekly. The sessions focus on “cyber literacy” and conflict resolution, teaching parents that forcibly removing devices as was allegedly attempted in the Ghaziabad case can often lead to aggressive defiance or self-harm if not handled with psychological care.
Warning Signs for Parents
Experts have outlined specific red flags that distinguish “enthusiasm” from “addiction”:
- Sleep Disruption: Staying up late to game, affecting mood and resilience.
- Social Withdrawal: Replacing offline friendships with online avatars.
- Academic Decline: A sudden drop in grades due to lack of focus.
- Physical Aggression: Intense anger when the device is taken away or the internet is disconnected.
As the police probe into the Ghaziabad suicide continues, the message from Karnataka’s medical community is clear: digital addiction is a public health crisis, and treating it requires empathy and professional help, not just strict discipline.