Are These The 4 Most Dangerous Horror-Themed Mobile Games For Teens Today?

In the wake of the tragic suicide of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad, namely Nishika, Prachi and Pakhi, investigators have found repeated references to certain horror-based mobile games in their personal diaries, raising concerns about the psychological impact of such content on young minds. The names of four such games were listed among the children’s favourites, prompting police and education authorities to recommend restrictions on their access to minors.

Officials said that the online games, namely Poppy Playtime, The Baby in Yellow, Evil Nun: Scary Horror Game and Ice Scream, widely popular among children and teenagers, contain elements of horror, violence and psychological intensity that may not be suitable for young audiences. Investigators

noted that these games are not merely casual entertainment but appear to occupy a significant space in the children’s daily lives.

The four games, all belonging to the horror-survival and puzzle genre, are downloaded by millions and are easily accessible on mobiles due to their free or low-cost availability. Authorities are now examining whether prolonged exposure to such content, combined with isolation and excessive screen time, may have had an adverse effect on the mental state of the Ghaziabad sisters.

1. Poppy Playtime

Poppy Playtime is a first-person puzzle-horror game in which players explore an abandoned toy factory while solving challenges and avoiding grotesque animated toys such as the character Huggy Wuggy. The game features dark, claustrophobic settings, sudden jump scares and disturbing visuals. Although it generally carries a 12+ or Teen age rating, experts say its intense atmosphere can be frightening for younger children.

2. The Baby In Yellow

The Baby in Yellow places players in the role of a babysitter caring for a mysterious child. Routine tasks like feeding and changing diapers gradually give way to paranormal and demonic events. The game blends dark humour with horror elements, including eerie sounds and unsettling imagery. Despite its popularity and over 100 million downloads, psychologists warn that combining infant care with horror themes can create confusion and fear in younger players.

3. Evil Nun: Scary Horror Game

Evil Nun: The Scary Horror Game is set in a school environment where an infected, menacing nun captures children. Players must solve puzzles, hide and escape while rescuing others. The game, rated for older teenagers due to violence and frightening scenes, has also recorded millions of downloads. Experts note that its portrayal of school settings and authority figures in a terrifying light could contribute to anxiety in impressionable minds.

4. Ice Scream

Ice Scream revolves around an ice-cream vendor who kidnaps children and freezes them, with players tasked with rescuing victims through stealth and clues. While it uses cartoon-style visuals, the theme of abduction and suspense-driven gameplay has raised concerns about instilling fear.

Police sources said that while there is no direct evidence linking gameplay to the incident, the repeated mention of these titles in the diaries of the Ghaziabad kids has triggered a broader conversation about children’s exposure to horror content. Education authorities have recommended stricter monitoring and have urged parents to pay close attention to the type of games their children engage with, particularly those not recommended for those under 10-12 years of age.

In the Ghaziabad case that triggered this debate, the three sisters, aged 16, 14 and 12, died after allegedly jumping from the ninth floor of their residential building in the early hours of February 4. Investigators said the girls had been spending long hours on mobile phones and were deeply immersed in online content and gaming.

Their father, Chetan Kumar, had taken away and even sold their phones due to concerns over excessive screen use, which reportedly caused severe emotional distress. An eight-page suicide note and personal writings were recovered, and police are examining multiple angles, including digital habits, isolation, family stress and mental health, while stressing that no single factor has been established as the sole cause behind the tragedy.

Mental health experts emphasise that while mobile games can be a source of recreation, unchecked exposure to intense horror content and excessive screen time may have unintended psychological consequences. Repeated exposure to jump scares, violent implications and dark storylines on mobile games can affect sensitive children, especially if they spend long hours immersed in virtual worlds and gradually withdraw from real-life interactions.

The concern is not limited to gameplay alone; many children also spend significant time watching livestreams and gaming videos online, deepening their engagement. Parents and guardians are being advised to activate parental controls, check age ratings carefully and set limits on gaming time. They are also encouraged to remain alert to signs of isolation, sudden fear, mood changes or withdrawal, and to seek counselling if needed.

Suicide Helpline. News18. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)