Pixels to Peril: How Online Games Endanger Indian Children. The tragic death of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad has once again forced India to confront an uncomfortable reality: the growing, largely unregulated influence of online games and digital subcultures on vulnerable young minds. While investigations are ongoing and claims must be treated cautiously, early reports point to excessive immersion in an online role-playing game and digital communities during the COVID-19 lockdown, a period when millions of children were left unsupervised in virtual spaces.

By – Dr. Namrata Mishra Tiwari, Chief Editor http://indiainput.com

Cyber crime today is no longer limited to hacking or financial fraud. It increasingly includes psychological manipulation, digital addiction, coercive online challenges, and exploitative gaming ecosystems that blur the line between entertainment and control. Many online games, especially role-playing and “task-based” platforms, are designed to reward obedience, emotional attachment, and identity replacement, features that can deeply affect minors still forming their sense of self.

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This is the building in Ghaziabad from the ninth floor of which three sisters, Pakhi (12), Prachi (14), and Vishika (16), jumped to their death at 2 am today.

Sounds like the opening scene of a possessed horror movie. Disturbingly, it turned out to be real. They were possessed,… pic.twitter.com/AMCFY9o0JB

— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) February 4, 2026

During lockdowns, screen time among Indian children surged dramatically. With schools closed and social interaction restricted, online games became substitutes for real-world connection. In such conditions, algorithm-driven platforms can amplify obsession, pushing users to adopt alternate identities, complete escalating tasks, and emotionally detach from family and reality. For children and teenagers, this can lead to isolation, anxiety, distorted self-image, and extreme dependency.

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#Watch | क्या है डिजिटल लत का समाधान?

जानिए साइबर एक्सपर्ट, पवन दुग्गल से#CIK #DigitalAddiction #Parents #MobilePhone #ScreenTime #SocialMedia #Health @davemansi145 @pavanduggal pic.twitter.com/SBk2EYppAI

— ET Now Swadesh (@ETNowSwadesh) February 2, 2026

Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that many online games operate across borders, making accountability difficult. Servers hosted abroad, anonymous moderators, and encrypted communication channels often place such platforms outside the immediate reach of Indian cyber laws. This is why cyber crime involving minors demands not just policing, but policy reform, international cooperation, and tech accountability.

India urgently needs stricter age-verification systems, real-time monitoring of harmful digital content, and mandatory parental controls on gaming platforms. Schools must also include digital literacy and cyber-safety education, teaching children how to recognize manipulation and seek help early.

At the same time, parents and guardians cannot outsource responsibility entirely to technology or the state. Open conversations, emotional availability, and awareness of children’s online lives are critical safeguards.