The Bengal Story Bureau: Actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has issued a public appeal urging parents to prioritise direct interaction with their children over mobile phone usage. His statement follows a tragic incident in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, where an eight-year-old child died by suicide after a parental dispute regarding mobile phone screen time.
The incident has reignited a national conversation regarding digital addiction among minors and the psychological pressures associated with device restrictions. Sood, known for his extensive social welfare initiatives across India, expressed deep concern over the growing emotional distance between parents and children in the digital era.
The Tragedy That Sparked the Appeal
The incident occurred in Ghaziabad when an eight-year-old boy reportedly took his own life after his parents confiscated his mobile phone to restrict his screen time. Local police authorities confirmed the details of the case, highlighting the extreme behavioral volatility sometimes associated with severe device dependency in young children.
Reacting to the news, Sood took to social media to express his grief. He described the loss of such a young life as a devastating reminder of how technology is impacting family structures. He emphasized that the solution does not lie merely in sudden electronic bans but in addressing the underlying emotional disconnect.
Changing the Dynamic of Parental Presence
According to Sood, the modern family environment has been heavily compromised by simultaneous device usage. He noted that parents frequently remain engrossed in their own smartphones while spending time with their children, inadvertently creating an environment of emotional isolation.
“We need to give our children our time, not just our presence in the same room while looking at a screen,” Sood stated. He urged parents to actively engage in physical sports, reading, and direct conversation to naturally reduce a child’s dependence on digital entertainment. He argued that when children receive genuine, undivided attention at home, their craving for virtual stimulation drops significantly.
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Addressing Digital Dependency Among Minors
Pediatric psychologists have increasingly warned about the neurological impact of excessive screen time on young minds, noting that sudden withdrawal of devices can trigger intense behavioral triggers. Sood advocated for a more gradual and communicative approach to managing digital habits.
He advised parents to establish clear, mutually agreed-upon boundaries for device usage rather than resorting to abrupt physical confrontation or confiscation. The actor concluded his appeal by calling on communities to foster more offline spaces and activities for children, ensuring that technology remains a controlled tool rather than a central emotional substitute.
