A heartbreaking incident from Maharashtra has left the local community in shock. Here, a 16-year-old boy from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar took his own life. This comes after his mother declined to buy him a mobile phone. The incident has once again put the spotlight on the growing dependence of teenagers on digital devices and the devastating mental toll it can take.

The boy, identified as Atharva Gopal Tayde, was reportedly preparing for the police recruitment exam. According to officials, he had been urging his mother for several days to purchase a mobile phone. However, she consistently refused, likely out of concern for distraction during his studies or financial constraints.

On Sunday, following another denial, Atharva left home and walked to Khawda Hill in Tisgaon. There, he jumped to his death. Locals rushed him to a nearby hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. Atharva was originally from Jalgaon Jamod in Buldhana district but had been living in Swatik City, Waluj.

A Pattern of Painful Losses

This is not the first time Maharashtra has witnessed such a tragic consequence linked to mobile phone denial. In July last year, a 15-year-old boy in the state died by suicide after his mother refused to buy him a phone on his birthday. He took his life while his mother and sister were asleep.

In another case from Navi Mumbai, an 18-year-old student took his life after his father gave him a budget Vivo phone instead of the iPhone worth ₹1.5 lakh he had asked for. The youth reportedly fell into depression over the perceived rejection.

And in April 2025, a 16-year-old boy died by suicide after his parents confiscated his mobile device to stop him from gaming excessively.

Research Links Tech Addiction to Suicidal Behavior

The increasing number of such incidents is prompting urgent calls for awareness and preventive action. A major study published on June 18 in JAMA by researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University, and UC Berkeley followed over 4,000 adolescents for four years. It found that nearly one in three teens showed signs of addictive behavior related to social media, smartphones, or gaming.

Those with worsening digital habits were found to be twice as likely to exhibit suicidal thoughts or behavior by the end of the study period. While the research doesn’t prove direct causation, it underscores the severe emotional risks associated with compulsive screen use.

A Wake-Up Call for Families and Communities

Mental health professionals are urging parents, educators, and policymakers to pay closer attention to how technology is affecting teenagers’ emotional well-being.

Dr. Sneha Kulkarni, a child psychologist based in Pune, commented, “This isn’t just about gadgets. For many teens, their self-worth is now tied to their digital identity. Denying access to that world, whether by refusal or removal, can feel devastating to them. We need to bridge that gap with empathy, communication, and early intervention.”

Authorities and mental health advocates are now calling for more school-based counseling programs, parental guidance sessions, and public awareness campaigns to address what is rapidly becoming a public health issue.

If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling

Help is available. If you or someone you know is dealing with emotional distress, reach out to a mental health professional or call the 24×7 helpline at 9152987821 (iCall) or 1800-599-0019 (AASRA).

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