Sonu Sood Ghaziabad suicide tragedy has sparked a nationwide conversation on children’s mental health, digital addiction, and parental responsibility after three minor sisters died by suicide in the Uttar Pradesh city. Reacting to the incident, actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood said the children were “not defeated, but left alone,” urging urgent restrictions on minors’ access to social media and online gaming.
The tragedy occurred late Tuesday night in Ghaziabad’s Loni area, where the three sisters allegedly jumped from the ninth floor of their residential building. The incident has intensified concerns around the psychological pressure children face in the digital age and the lack of emotional support systems at home.
Also read: Ghaziabad Sisters’ Deaths Spark Probe Into Online Gaming Addiction
Sonu Sood’s emotional response to Ghaziabad incident
Reacting to the deaths, Sonu Sood shared a video message on Instagram expressing deep anguish and concern over the unchecked exposure of children to virtual spaces. He said constant engagement with online platforms, combined with reduced emotional connection at home, is creating invisible pressure on young minds.
“Three children lost their lives in Ghaziabad. These children were not defeated, they were left alone. In the world of online and social media, we have left our children so far that we cannot hear their silence,” Sood said.
Call for stricter limits on digital access for minors
Sood appealed to parents and authorities to enforce stricter controls on children’s use of social media and online gaming. Reiterating a stance he has taken earlier, the actor said children under the age of 16 should be kept away from social media platforms, except when required for educational purposes.
He acknowledged the role of technology in learning but warned against unrestricted access that could harm emotional and mental well-being.
“We get so busy in our lives that we forget there is another member of our family the mobile phone and social media with whom children spend more time than with us,” he said.
Also read: Spain Moves to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16
Emphasis on parental presence and emotional connection
Highlighting the importance of parental involvement, Sood said digital devices cannot replace conversation, emotional support, and human presence in a child’s life.
“Children do not need a mobile phone, they need our presence. They do not need scolding, they need conversation. If we want their future and the future of our country to be better, restrictions are necessary,” the actor said.
He also pointed out how busy lifestyles often lead parents to hand over mobile phones as distractions, unintentionally weakening family bonds and meaningful communication.
Appeal for legal measures and collective action
Calling for collective responsibility, Sood urged the government to consider laws restricting social media and online gaming access for young children. He stressed that mobile phones should be limited strictly to educational use.
“Technology is necessary for education, but it does not mean we put our children’s lives at risk. Social media can wait. Childhood can’t,” he wrote in the caption of his Instagram post.
He echoed similar sentiments in a post on X, warning that childhood needs guidance, not algorithms, and protection before it is too late.
Details of the Ghaziabad tragedy
The incident took place around 2:15 am under the Tila Mod police station limits. Assistant Commissioner of Police Atul Kumar Singh identified the deceased as Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12), daughters of Ghaziabad resident Chetan Kumar.
The girls were rushed to a nearby 50-bed hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Trans-Hindon) Nimish Patil said preliminary findings suggest the sisters were influenced by Korean culture. A suicide note recovered from their residence reportedly mentioned this influence, though it did not name any specific online game or application. At the time of the incident, other family members were present in the house but were asleep.