A Class 8 student from Jamsuli village in Odisha’s Balasore district allegedly died by suicide after his parents restricted his access to mobile gaming.
The teenager, identified as Jaikrishna Jena, was reportedly addicted to mobile games and had been repeatedly warned by his parents due to his declining academic performance. On Tuesday morning, instead of attending tuition, Jaikrishna was engrossed in gaming. When his mother scolded him and took away the phone, he locked himself in the bathroom and was later found hanging from a towel.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival. Family sources revealed that multiple attempts to counsel the boy had failed, and his addiction had become a serious concern.
Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. The exact cause of death will be confirmed following an autopsy.
This incident has sparked renewed conversations around the psychological impact of screen addiction and the urgent need for digital literacy and emotional support systems for adolescents.
