POLICE said an investigation has been launched into the death of three young sisters over concerns that they were heavily “influenced” by games and movies online that they were later denied access to.
Local media reported the sisters, aged 12, 14 and 16 had jumped from their home on Wednesday in the city of Ghaziabad on the outskirts of New Delhi.
Concern among experts and regulators has grown in recent years that too much screen time and addictive algorithms are harming child development, sparking authorities, including in India, to push for social media bans for children and teens.
“(An) investigation is underway based on the suicide note and their phones,” Nimish Patil, a senior police official, said on Thursday.
The sisters had been “denied access” to Korean culture: K-pop music, games and movies that they had previously played and watched online, Patil said.
He added that the family also appeared to be under financial distress.
Their father had recently taken away their devices and barred them from watching K-dramas and playing online games, the Indian Express newspaper reported.
AFP could not immediately reach family members for comment.
The case has sparked debate in India with intense media coverage highlighting concerns about young people’s skyrocketing online exposure deepening mental health vulnerabilities.
Two Indian states recently said they were preparing the ground for banning children from using social media. — AFP
