5 cases of children falling victim to online games in Karnataka in past 4 years

In the last four years, five cases of children falling victim to online games have been registered across Karnataka.

One case was registered in Bengaluru city in 2023, while one each was reported in Chikkamagaluru district in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and one case in Hubballi-Dharwad in 2026, Home Minister G. Parameshwara informed the Karnataka Legislative Council in response to a question from Pratap Simha Nayak K., during the recent Budget session of the Assembly.

Recent case

On March 25, an MBBS student, who was caught in a debt trap due to his online gaming addiction, committed suicide in his hostel room in Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS). 

Mr. Parameshwara said that, as announced by the Chief Minister in the State budget for 2026-27, the use of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 in order to prevent such cases.

Measures were being taken under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Karnataka Police Act, 1963, and the Information Technology (IT) Act to control all types of illegal games and gambling, he said. The Union Government has implemented the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, and action will be taken under it, he replied.

Mr. Parameshwara said programmes organised by the police department, such as Mane Manege Police and Terada Mane, are also attempting direct communication with children.

“The police are visiting schools and colleges, and conducting awareness programmes about the ill-effects of online games in Beat Committee Meetings and Village Patrol Meetings,” he said.

Monitoring platforms

The Minister further stated that action will be taken to make gaming platforms obtain licences and remove unauthorised apps immediately. In addition, action will be taken to remove dangerous or gambling-promoting apps from the Google Play Store or App Store.

Advertisements are being promoted in the media and social media to create awareness among people about the harms of gambling. Parents are being advised and given guidelines to keep their children away from online gaming, he added.