Actor Sonu Sood has called for stricter controls on social media and online gaming for children following the tragic deaths of three sisters aged 12, 14 and 16 in Ghaziabad.
Reacting to the incident on X (formerly Twitter), Sonu Sood urged authorities and parents to act decisively, stating that digital platforms should be restricted for children under 16, except for educational use. “Childhood needs guidance, not algorithms,” he wrote, emphasising that the issue was about protection rather than blame.
‘This should not become another forgotten headline’
Expressing deep anguish, the actor said the girls had lost their lives not to poverty or violence, but to the unseen pressure of digital addiction. He added that he had raised concerns on the issue earlier and would continue to do so.
“Care, not constant screens. This isn’t about blame. It’s about protection, before it’s too late. It’s time to act,” he said, calling for collective responsibility from families, institutions and policymakers.
Police link case to severe online gaming obsession
According to Assistant Police Commissioner Atul Kumar Singh, preliminary investigations indicate that the sisters were deeply influenced by a Korean task-based online game. Police said the addiction intensified during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, affecting their routines, schooling and sense of reality.
Investigators also noted that the eldest child, despite being 16, was studying in a lower class, and that all three had been irregular in attending school. Mobile phones used by the girls are being analysed to better understand the nature of the content involved.
Renewed focus on child digital safety
The incident has sparked nationwide concern over children’s exposure to immersive online content and the urgent need for mental health awareness, parental supervision and digital literacy.
Experts warn that excessive screen use without guidance can seriously impact a child’s emotional well-being and urge families to seek help at early signs of withdrawal or obsession.