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Indian police announced on Thursday that an investigation is underway into the suspected suicide of three young sisters, who were believed to have been heavily influenced by online games and movies from Korea that they were later restricted from accessing. According to local media, the sisters, aged 12, 14, and 16, jumped from their home in Ghaziabad, a city on the outskirts of the capital, New Delhi, on Wednesday.
There is growing concern among experts and regulators worldwide about the impact of excessive screen time and addictive algorithms on child development. This has led authorities, including in India, to advocate for bans on social media use among children and teenagers.
Nimish Patil, a senior police officer, told AFP that the investigation is focused on a suicide note and their mobile phones. Indian police typically explore various factors leading up to suspected suicides. It was reported that the sisters had been denied access to K-pop music, Korean games, and movies they previously watched online. Patil mentioned, “They were influenced by Korean culture: K-pop music, games, and movies.”
Additionally, the family appeared to be experiencing financial difficulties. Their father had recently confiscated their devices and prohibited them from watching Korean dramas or playing online games, reports indicate. AFP was unable to reach the family for further comment.
Over the past decades, Korean culture has grown increasingly popular in India, especially among young people. This surge was sparked by Psy’s 2012 hit “Gangnam Style” and has since expanded through K-pop and streaming services filled with Korean dramas.
The case has prompted intense media coverage and sparked debate in India about how rising online exposure affects mental health among youth. Several states in the country are now considering bans on children’s social media use. Internationally, governments are also exploring restrictions: Australia banned social networks for users under 16 in December, and France’s lower house recently approved a bill that, if ratified by the Senate, will prohibit social media for those under 15 and ban mobile phones in high schools.
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