Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the state Assembly that 41 minors in the state have died by suicide over the past four years in cases linked to mobile phone and internet abuse.
The figures, covering 2021 to September 9 this year, reflect a sharp rise in suicides, with 24 cases reported between 2021 and May 2024 alone.
Vijayan said police also tracked 30 minors during the period who had fallen into sexual exploitation and drug abuse through online activity.
To tackle the growing crisis, Kerala currently operates six digital de-addiction centres where 275 children are under treatment.
These facilities, set up in police districts, have treated 1,189 minors so far for behavioural changes linked to online gaming, social media, fake shopping
sites, and pornography.
The state government plans to open eight more centres this fiscal year.
Official records show that between March 2023 and July 2025, 1,992 children sought help at Digital De-Addiction Centres (D-DAD).
Kollam reported the highest number of cases (480), followed by Kozhikode (325), Thrissur (304), Kochi (300), Thiruvananthapuram (299), and Kannur (284). Most involved excessive use of online games and social platforms.
Investigations revealed that some minors trapped in digital addiction were exploited for drug trafficking and criminal activities, often manipulated with costly gifts, including mobile phones.
Experts have urged parents to play a stronger role in prevention. “Developing self-control and discipline in using digital media is the key to preventing digital addiction,” said Sarath Sundar, clinical psychologist at the Government Mental Health Centre, Kuthiravattam.
Cybercrime officials also warned of growing risks from online predators.
“There has been a rise in cases where individuals create fake profiles to befriend children online and then exploit them,” said T. Shashikumar, SHO, Cyber Crime Division, Palakkad.
