A class IX student ended his life in a village in Karnataka's Chikkaballapura district after being reprimanded by his parents for his mobile addiction and for paying more attention to his studies.
The victim, Lokesh, 15 years old and a Class IX student, lived in a village in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura district. Ramanjinappa, the victim’s father, is a driver.
"My wife and I visited his school, and they told us that he was not doing well in academics. After coming back home and asking him not to develop the habit of using the phone and to stop spending time watching TV," said Lokesh's father.
Lokesh's parents had been worried about his excessive use of the mobile phone and how it was showing effects on his studies. The parents therefore told Lokesh to focus more on his academics and restrict the use of the phone and television. Upset over this, the minor boy hanged himself on a tree in a secluded area of the village.
According to various media reports, one day before this incident on Monday, November 6, 2023, the victim and his father got into an argument over the overuse of the mobile phone. Deeply upset by the tiff, Lokesh left the house in anger.
According to the information provided by the police, in a fit of anger and unable to cope with constant criticism, Lokesh hanged himself from a tree in a secluded area in the village.The body of the deceased has been sent by police for a post-mortem. Further investigation is underway.
The story raises major questions about how mobile phone addiction is worsening and causing mental issues. More and more students are getting addicted to mobile and television, which is making them more fierce. Schools also have a significant role to play. They can offer counseling and teach kids about mental health. Encouraging and engaging kids to do hobbies and activities outside the phone is a good idea to help them feel better and happier. While the investigation is going on to determine whether the student was under any kind of stress, the parents of the student are also being challenged.
(Input from various news sources)
(Rehash/Komal Bhoi)