A 16-year-old boy in India has died after a dispute with his father over his heavy use of a mobile phone, in a case that has left his family and the local community in shock.
The teenager, identified as Mayank Nakar, was a Secondary 4-equivalent student in Kota, Rajasthan. According to Indian media reports, he had been spending a significant amount of time playing mobile games.
The incident happened at the family’s home on Sunday night, 9 August, when his father, Chatmal, reportedly found him using his mobile phone again. The father told his son to stop playing and put the phone away, but the teenager allegedly refused to listen.
Teenager became critically ill after phone was taken away
The father subsequently took the mobile phone away from his son. Not long afterwards, the teenager reportedly became seriously unwell and collapsed at home.
Family members rushed to find out what had happened. His uncle, identified as Sant, reportedly said the teenager then told his family that he had consumed a harmful substance.
The family immediately brought him to a private hospital, where doctors attempted to save him. Despite receiving treatment for several hours, the teenager died on Monday morning, 10 August.
His death has devastated the family, with relatives reportedly struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Father reportedly suffers from serious heart condition
The teenager was his father’s only son. His father works as a painter to support the family and reportedly suffers from a serious heart condition.
Relatives said the father was deeply affected by his son’s death, particularly because the incident began with what appeared to be a relatively ordinary disagreement over the teenager’s mobile phone use.
The boy’s mother was also said to be extremely distressed following his death.
Local police subsequently began investigating the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. Officers also had to persuade the family to allow a post-mortem examination, as relatives had initially been reluctant to proceed while dealing with their grief.
Police investigation underway
The post-mortem examination was completed on Monday morning at the mortuary of a local medical college hospital, after which the teenager’s body was returned to his family.
Police have since registered a case based on the family’s complaint and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case has also renewed concerns over the impact of excessive mobile phone and gaming use among teenagers, particularly when disagreements between young people and their parents escalate.
Experts have repeatedly encouraged parents to approach excessive gaming and screen use through communication, clear boundaries and professional support where necessary, rather than relying solely on punishment.
The incident serves as a tragic reminder that seemingly routine conflicts involving teenagers can sometimes develop into serious family crises. Parents and caregivers who notice major changes in a young person’s behaviour or emotional state should consider seeking professional help and ensuring that the child is not left to deal with overwhelming distress alone.
Anyone experiencing an emotional crisis or worried about someone they know should seek immediate help from a qualified mental-health professional or local emergency services.