Tragic Incident: Teen Takes Life Over Mobile Phone Dispute in Hubballi
Teen's Suicide Sparks Concern Over Mobile Addiction
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Hubballi, April 24: A heartbreaking incident occurred in the Udaynagar area of Hubballi, North Karnataka, where a 14-year-old boy took his own life after his mother denied him access to his mobile phone, according to police reports released on Friday.
The boy, who had developed a dependency on his phone, was reportedly engrossed in online gaming for several days. On Thursday evening, his mother confronted him about his excessive screen time, urging him to focus on his studies instead. In a moment of frustration, she confiscated his mobile device.
Feeling despondent, the boy retreated to his room and locked the door. After about 20 minutes of silence, his father looked through the window and discovered his son hanging. Tragically, the boy had used his mother’s saree for the act. His parents forced the door open and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “This unfortunate event highlights the serious issue of children resorting to drastic measures when denied mobile access. Parents must recognize their role in this situation. Addiction to mobile devices does not develop overnight; it often stems from parents giving phones to children to keep them occupied.”
He further emphasized the importance of gradual reduction in mobile usage for children, especially in cases of severe addiction, and recommended seeking professional advice from psychologists and doctors. “I urge parents to be mindful of the dangers of mobile addiction. While mobile phones can be beneficial for educational purposes, excessive use rarely leads to success. Many high-achieving students have reported that they avoided distractions, including mobile phones, during their studies,” he added.
Shashikumar concluded by stressing the need for responsible parenting and awareness regarding the impact of mobile phone usage on children.