The recent suicide attempt by three friends in Garh Padhana village of Nawanshahr district has brought the growing menace of online gaming in Punjab into sharp focus. Two of the three friends died, while one survived, after the trio consumed a poisonous substance following suspected heavy losses in an online game.
Online Gaming Losses Linked to Suicide Attempt in Nawanshahr
The incident in Nawanshahr district is the latest example of how online gaming is turning into a serious public health concern in Punjab. According to the original story, the three friends consumed the poisonous substance after they reportedly suffered heavy losses while playing an online game. The tragedy has now put the spotlight on how deep the problem of online gaming has penetrated in the state.
Excessive use of mobile phones has emerged as a significant psychological and public health concern — particularly for children aged between 12 and 24 years. Experts warn that excessive gaming can lead to financial, emotional and psychological distress, which in extreme cases can push individuals to take drastic steps.
Experts Warn of Rapidly Increasing Online Gaming Addiction
Dr JPS Bhatia, an addiction psychiatrist from Amritsar who established Punjab's first internet de-addiction centre, said the problem was increasing rapidly. He pointed to the design of gaming algorithms as a key factor driving addiction.
"Algorithms are designed around novelty, constantly feeding users something new. Each new experience keeps the user hooked." — Dr JPS Bhatia, addiction psychiatrist, Amritsar
The psychiatrist's observation explains why so many young people find it difficult to step away from online games. The constant stream of new content and rewards keeps players engaged for hours, often leading to financial losses when real money is involved in these games.
Growing Online Gaming Menace in Punjab
The Nawanshahr incident is not an isolated case but a symptom of a larger problem spreading across Punjab. The combination of easy access to smartphones, aggressive gaming algorithms, and the involvement of real money in online games has created a dangerous mix for young users.
- Online gaming addiction is affecting children as young as 12 years old
- Financial losses in online games can trigger extreme emotional distress
- Punjab's first internet de-addiction centre was established in Amritsar to address this growing concern
- Excessive mobile phone use is now recognised as a significant psychological and public health concern
Our Take: Online Gaming Menace Needs Urgent Attention
To put it plainly, the Nawanshahr tragedy is a wake-up call that Punjab can no longer ignore. When young people are pushed to consume poison over losses in an online game, the problem has clearly crossed the line from personal habit to public health crisis.
In our view, the focus cannot remain only on the victims and their families. The real issue lies in the design of these gaming platforms, which are built to keep users hooked through constant novelty. Parents, schools and policymakers need to recognise that this is not about discipline or willpower — it is about fighting an addiction that is engineered to be difficult to escape.
The fact that Punjab's first internet de-addiction centre exists is a positive step, but one centre is nowhere near enough. The state needs broader awareness campaigns, stricter regulation of real-money online games, and accessible counselling services for young people trapped in this cycle. If the Nawanshahr incident does not push authorities to act, the next tragedy may be even closer to home.
