In a powerful Instagram post, actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has reignited the debate on children’s digital safety, proposing a total shutdown of social media and online gaming platforms for those under 16. The appeal follows the devastating deaths of three girls in Ghaziabad, victims of what Sood describes as ‘digital addiction’s fatal pressure.’
Posted via Instagram Stories, Sood’s note cuts straight to the heart: ‘They didn’t die from violence or poverty, but from the clutches of online games and screens.’ He insists on allowing only education-linked usage, stressing that ‘algorithms can’t replace the guidance childhood needs.’
Sood’s stance is backed by growing evidence of tech’s toll on mental health, from sleep disruption to social isolation. He envisions new laws mandating limited, monitored internet exposure for kids. ‘Love and care over screens – that’s what they need,’ he poignantly noted.
Echoing his prior support for Australia’s child-protection bans, Sood warns against complacency. ‘This isn’t accusation; it’s a plea to save lives. Act now, or regret forever.’ As a voice of reason in chaotic times, Sood urges turning tragedy into policy, positioning himself as a fierce guardian of the next generation amid rising parental anxieties.