Mobile Addiction / Odisha Teen Consumes Pesticide After Mother Snatches Her Mobile Phone
·2 hours ago·2 min read
Key Points
A 15-year-old girl, Runa Nayak, died after consuming pesticide following an argument with her family over her mobile phone in Balasore district.
Udala, Jul 2: A 15-year-old girl died after consuming pesticide following an argument with her family over her mobile phone, a source said Thursday.
The incident took place at a village under Berhampur Police Station in Raj Berhampur area of Balasore district.
The victim, identified as Runa Nayak, daughter of Durga Nayak, was using her mobile phone at home on Thursday morning when her mother and maternal uncle arrived and took the phone from her, the source informed.
According to family members, Runa's father had grown concerned over her excessive mobile phone use and had asked her uncle to take the device away. When she refused to hand it over, relatives allegedly snatched the phone and broke it, sources said.
Enraged by the incident, Runa allegedly threatened to consume poison before locking herself inside her room and ingesting pesticide, family members claimed.
Relatives broke open the door and rushed her to the Udala Sub-divisional Hospital, where she was declared dead during treatment, the source said.
Police arrived at the medical facility, seized the body, and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Also Read: Eight Inmates Test HIV Positive at Jharpada Jail in Bhubaneswar
What's The Way Forward?
What was once considered a routine act of discipline is increasingly ending in tragedy. Across several incidents, minors have lost their lives or taken extreme steps after their mobile phones were confiscated or damaged by their parents.
Mobile addiction among children can be reduced only through consistent parental involvement and awareness. Parents should be sensitised about the harmful effects of excessive screen time on a child's mental, physical and social development.
Instead of imposing strict bans, they should encourage outdoor activities, reading, hobbies and regular family interactions. Setting screen-time limits, leading by example through responsible phone use, and maintaining open communication can help children develop healthier digital habits and reduce their dependence on mobile devices.
The incident took place at a village under Berhampur Police Station in Raj Berhampur area of Balasore district.
The victim, identified as Runa Nayak, daughter of Durga Nayak, was using her mobile phone at home on Thursday morning when her mother and maternal uncle arrived and took the phone from her, the source informed.
According to family members, Runa's father had grown concerned over her excessive mobile phone use and had asked her uncle to take the device away. When she refused to hand it over, relatives allegedly snatched the phone and broke it, sources said.
Enraged by the incident, Runa allegedly threatened to consume poison before locking herself inside her room and ingesting pesticide, family members claimed.
Relatives broke open the door and rushed her to the Udala Sub-divisional Hospital, where she was declared dead during treatment, the source said.
Police arrived at the medical facility, seized the body, and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Also Read: Eight Inmates Test HIV Positive at Jharpada Jail in Bhubaneswar
What's The Way Forward?
What was once considered a routine act of discipline is increasingly ending in tragedy. Across several incidents, minors have lost their lives or taken extreme steps after their mobile phones were confiscated or damaged by their parents.
Mobile addiction among children can be reduced only through consistent parental involvement and awareness. Parents should be sensitised about the harmful effects of excessive screen time on a child's mental, physical and social development.
Instead of imposing strict bans, they should encourage outdoor activities, reading, hobbies and regular family interactions. Setting screen-time limits, leading by example through responsible phone use, and maintaining open communication can help children develop healthier digital habits and reduce their dependence on mobile devices.
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