Ghaziabad Triple Suicide: In a heart-wrenching incident, three young sisters from Ghaziabad took their own lives this morning, allegedly driven by an addiction to online gaming. The three siblings, the youngest just 12 years old, are believed to have been addicted to a Korean online game that involved a series of tasks. The sisters identified as Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12) reportedly jumped from the balcony of their ninth-floor apartment in the early hours of Wednesday, ending their lives.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and reignited concerns about the impact of excessive online gaming on children’s mental health. According to reports from the news agency PTI, the sisters left behind a chilling note that read, “Read everything written in this diary, it is all here...” alongside a crying face emoji. The note also included a heartfelt handwritten apology, saying, "Sorry papa, I am really sorry."
The diary was later recovered from the girls' belongings, providing further insight into their final moments. Authorities revealed that the three sisters had not attended school for the past two years, and had been spending much of their time at home. Their father, Chetan Kumar, a forex trader, lives with his two wives (both sisters) and their five children four daughters and one son. The entire family lived together in their ninth-floor apartment.
This tragedy has brought to the forefront growing concerns over the addictive nature of online gaming and its devastating effects on young people. What was once seen as a harmless way to pass the time has now become a serious mental health issue for many children, leading to emotional distress, social isolation, and in extreme cases, tragic outcomes like this one.
Ghaziabad Triple Suicide: Experts Sound Alarm Over Mental Health Consequences
Monica Sharma, a senior psychologist in New Delhi, told Jagran.com that mental health risks associated with excessive gaming to Jagran.com. She warned that prolonged gaming can lead to significant changes in a child’s behaviour, with symptoms such as irritability, difficulty sleeping, and heightened stress. Children can become so absorbed in virtual worlds that they detach from reality, losing interest in school, socialising, and even family relationships. In the most severe cases, children may struggle to cope with failure in the game, leading to depression or suicidal thoughts.
"Online games are designed to keep players engaged, often tapping into children’s developing sense of reward and achievement," Sharma explained. "This makes young people especially vulnerable to becoming addicted, as they are still developing emotional resilience."
The shift to online gaming has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw an increase in screen time as children were forced to stay indoors due to lockdowns. Mobile phones, tablets, and computers became the primary means of entertainment, and for many, gaming became an obsessive pastime. The immersive nature of online games, with their engaging graphics and rewards systems, makes it difficult for children to disengage.
Experts believe that children are particularly susceptible to online gaming addiction due to their age and developmental stage. Their brains are still forming, and they have not yet fully developed the coping mechanisms needed to manage frustration or disappointment both common experiences in the gaming world.
Ghaziabad Triple Suicide: 5 Signs Parents Should Look Out For
Following the Ghaziabad tragedy, mental health experts are urging parents to be more vigilant in recognising the signs of gaming addiction in their children. Here are some warning signs to watch for:
- Behavioural Changes: Increased irritability, anger, or aggression when restricted from gaming.
- Physical Health: Complaints of headaches, difficulty sleeping, dark circles under the eyes, weight gain, or a change in eating habits.
- Decline in Academic Performance: A noticeable drop in school grades, neglect of homework, and lack of interest in studies.
- Social Withdrawal: Isolation from friends and family, and spending excessive amounts of time alone in their rooms.
- Emotional Distress: Expressing feelings of worthlessness, sadness, or crying at minor setbacks. In extreme cases, children may show signs of suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
How Can Parents Help?
Experts recommend that parents approach the issue of gaming addiction with care and understanding. Being too strict or punitive may lead to rebellion, making it harder for children to open up about their struggles. Instead, parents should engage in open and non-judgmental conversations, explaining the dangers of excessive gaming and setting clear but reasonable boundaries. Parents should promote physical activities such as sports, cycling etc and they should establish clear time limits for gaming and ensure that children take regular breaks to engage in other activities.
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