Ban PUBG chorus gets louder after teenager’s suicide

HYDERABAD: A day after a 16-year-old from Malkajgiri committed suicide because his parents reprimanded him for spending too much time on PUBG instead of preparing for SSC exams, several experts are now seeking a ban on the online multiplayer battle royale game.

“The game is violent and will have a negative impact on children's minds. Our NGO has written to the chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights seeking a ban on the game,” said Achyuta Rao from Balala Hakkula Sangham.

Apart from the NGO, Hyderabad-based Forum against Corruption founded by activist Vijay Gopal too has been trying to get the game banned in India. In January, he wrote to the NCPCR and MoE&IT demanding that the game be declared illegal.

Not just activists, but city-based psychiatrists too have raised concern about increasing gaming addiction among children. “Every week, we look into at least 10 cases in which parents seek help in treating their children's addiction to video games including PUBG which shot to popularity recently," said Dr Praveen Kumar, a clinical psychiatrist from Apollo Hospital. Those in the 13 to 18 age group have been found most vulnerable to being addicted to these games, the doctor said.

“Gaming addiction has changed and increased over the years. Earlier, it wasn’t uncommon to hear about children stealing money to play video games at Internet cafes, now that everyone has a mobile phone, the number of cases have risen and the problems are varied. Addiction can affect the mental advancement of children. It can also affect children’s physical growth as many prefer spending time in the confines of their rooms, caring little for outdoor games and maintaining a healthy lifestyle," said Dr Kumar.