Digital addiction: Kerala sees 41 child suicides in 4 yrs; Experts warn of online predators

Palakkad: Misuse of mobile phones, social media and the internet is claiming the lives of children. According to Crime Records Bureau data, 41 children have committed suicide in the past four years due to problems related to digital addiction, covering the period from 2021 to September 2025.

Over the past two and a half years, 1,992 children in the state sought treatment at Digital De-Addiction Centres (D-DAD) due to excessive use of digital devices, including mobile phones. The data covers March 2023 to July 2025. The Kollam centre reported the highest number of cases – 480 – followed by Kozhikode with 325, Thrissur 304, Kochi 300, Thiruvananthapuram 299 and Kannur 284.

Most treatment cases involved excessive use of online games and social media. Investigations also revealed that some children with digital addiction were being exploited for drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Children were often manipulated with expensive gifts, including mobile phones.

Maintaining discipline in digital world

“Developing self-control and discipline in using digital media is the key to preventing digital addiction. With online classes and other digital exposure, children today have increased access to technology. Parents must ensure that children use these platforms appropriately,” says Sarath Sundar, Clinical Psychologist, Government Mental Health Centre, Kuthiravattam

Identifying digital predators

“There has been a rise in cases where individuals create fake profiles to befriend children online and then exploit them using the information obtained. Parents should start awareness at home to help children identify such digital predators. Often, children follow digitally addicted parents into these behaviours, making it important for parents to lead by example,” says T Shashikumar, SHO, Cyber Crime Division, Palakkad.