Bhopal Teen Suicide Raises Alarm Over Online Game Addiction Among Kids
A Bhopal teen’s suicide has renewed concerns over online game addiction among children, following the Ghaziabad sisters’ deaths linked to digital gaming trends.
Bhopal Tragedy Puts Online Game Addiction Under Spotlight
A 14-year-old boy died by suicide in Bhopal, with excessive involvement in an online game suspected to be a key factor. The teenager, the only child of his parents, was found dead inside his home. The incident has sent shockwaves through the city and the news comes in the wake of disturbing reports from Ghaziabad, where three minor sisters died after jumping from their apartment allegedly following restrictions on an online game.
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The Bhopal case has once again brought urgent attention to the growing concerns around online game addiction and children’s mental health. The boy has been identified as Ansh Sahu, an eighth-grade student living in Shriram Colony. According to information shared by the police, early findings suggest the boy took the extreme step after his parents stopped him from playing an online game, a restriction that reportedly upset him deeply.
Police officials informed reporters that they received information about a school-going boy who had died by suicide two days ago. During inquiries, it emerged that the child was deeply engaged in an online game, specifically “Free Fire,” which he accessed using mobile phones belonging to family members. Investigators found that around ₹28,000 had been spent on the online game, allegedly through his grandfather’s bank account.
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Police said that when the family discovered the money spent on the online game, they counselled the boy and asked him to stop playing. On the day of the incident, the child is believed to have attempted to play again, after which his mother intervened. Soon after, he was found to have ended his life. A case has been registered and the Bhopal police are continuing a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Senior officials have indicated that the Bhopal police may also examine the design and mechanics of the online game involved. Based on their findings, they could suggest fresh advisories or regulatory steps to the state government aimed at preventing similar tragedies involving children and online game addiction.
The Bhopal tragedy follows closely on the heels of the devastating incident in Ghaziabad that has intensified nationwide anxiety. In the early hours of 4 February, three minor sisters died after falling from the ninth floor of their apartment in Bharat City, a residential complex in the Loni area. Residents were jolted awake around 2.15 am by screams and a loud impact. The girls were rushed to a nearby hospital but were declared dead on arrival.
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Investigators in the Ghaziabad case believe the sisters may have been influenced by a task-based online game often referred to as the “Korean Lover Game.” Unlike conventional online games, this challenge reportedly operates through private links and messaging platforms, making it harder for parents and authorities to detect. The game is said to involve emotional tasks that escalate over time, potentially fostering secrecy, dependency and psychological stress among young users.
Police have also found that the sisters had developed an intense attachment to Korean pop culture and online content. A handwritten diary recovered from the home reportedly detailed extensive mobile phone use and deep emotional involvement with digital activities. Investigators noted that the girls had gradually withdrawn from school and regular routines, a pattern that experts often associate with problematic online game use and digital dependence.
Together, the Bhopal and Ghaziabad cases have reignited debate about how children navigate the digital world and how vulnerable they can be to harmful online game environments. Experts stress that while parental controls are important, they are not enough. Meaningful engagement, mental health support and digital literacy are increasingly being seen as essential to protect children from the unseen risks that can accompany unchecked online game exposure.
