Cancer headlines often travel faster than science. A viral post, a documentary, or a dramatic claim about sugar or junk food can quickly spiral into blanket fear, making everyday foods seem like ticking time bombs. But nutrition science is rarely absolute. The relationship between processed foods
The injury occurred during the warm-up match when Rana was forced to abandon his spell after twice pulling out of his run-up. India's T20 World Cup campaign has suffered a significant setback as pacer Harshit Rana has been officially ruled out of the tournament
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Malaysia from February 7–8 and hold bilateral talks with his counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Malaysia from February 7–8 and hold bilateral talks with his counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim
While the world celebrated Smriti Mandhana's match winning 87 off 41 balls in the WPL 2026 final, few knew that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain was battling a severe 103 degree fever just hours before the first ball was bowled. While the world celebrated Smriti Mandhana's match
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu formally launched the Bilaspur district administration's innovative initiative, ‘Padhai with AI', at Barthin. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu formally launched the Bilaspur district administration's innovative
What Ghaziabad Sisters' Suicide & Bhajanpura Rape Case Reveal About Children’s Mental Health Today
What Ghaziabad Sisters' Suicide & Bhajanpura Rape Case Reveal About Children’s Mental Health Today
The ONLY question I get as a 30-something married woman is: when will you have a baby? I will admit this upfront: reading these stories makes me scared to even entertain that idea.
A world where a six-year-old is allegedly assaulted by three boys aged 10, 13, and 14, barely older than her, in Bhajanpura, and where three young sisters in Ghaziabad reportedly die by suicide after years of isolation, emotional stress, and withdrawal into online worlds. These are not just horrifying headlines but feel like warnings of a disaster unfolding right in front of our eyes.
Beyond the shock and grief, I find myself asking a harder question: what do these incidents mean? Not in terms of punishment or blame, but in terms of what we are missing about children's inner lives and how early that missing begins.
Mental-health experts caution against seeing such cases only as crimes or tragedies. They urge us to view them as signals of distress, neglect, exposure, and silence that built up long before anyone noticed.
According to Dr Shorouq Motwani, a consultant in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Mumbai's Narayana Health SRCC Children's Hospital, children often lack the words to tell us when something is wrong.
“Children do not always have the emotional vocabulary or cognitive maturity to name what they feel," she says. “Distress often shows up as behaviour because the nervous system is overwhelmed. Acting out, withdrawal, or sudden changes are forms of non-verbal communication."
Psychologists repeatedly emphasise that behaviour is not the issue; it is the message. A child who becomes aggressive, silent, withdrawn, or suddenly “difficult" is often communicating what they cannot articulate. Dr Motwani explains that early warning signs are frequently subtle.
“Sleep disturbances, frequent headaches or stomach aches, irritability, loss of interest in play, or sudden perfectionism can all be red flags," she says. “A child may appear functional at school but feel emotionally dysregulated inside."
These signs are easy to miss, especially in homes already under stress, but they are often the first indications that a child is not coping.
One uncomfortable reality parents now face is unchecked digital exposure. A smartphone and internet connection give children access to content no previous generation encountered so young, including violence, misogyny, and sexualised material.
Psychologists stress that parents can no longer afford to be passive about what their children consume. A constantly closed bedroom door combined with unrestricted screen access can become a high-risk environment, not because screens are inherently harmful, but because they replace supervision and emotional connection.
Reports note that in the Ghaziabad case, the children reportedly withdrew from school and spent most of their time online.
“When real-world connections feel unsafe or unfulfilling, digital spaces offer escape and control," she says. “Online worlds can temporarily soothe loneliness or anxiety."
Occasionally watching what children watch, asking about the influencers or creators they follow, and noticing shifts in behaviour are not acts of surveillance. When parents encounter content that demeans women or glorifies violence, experts suggest using it as a teaching moment rather than only scolding.
Children have moods. Adolescence especially is messy and emotionally charged. But psychologists say there is a difference between fluctuation and distress.
“Ordinary mood swings are temporary and situation-linked," Dr Motwani explains. “Deeper concerns tend to be persistent, intense, and interfere with daily functioning." When changes last weeks, affect sleep, appetite, academics or relationships, or are accompanied by withdrawal, anxiety or aggression, they may signal psychological distress rather than a passing phase.
After tragedies, families often say they had no idea their child was struggling. Psychologists hear this often, and say silence is rarely accidental. “Children may stop sharing when they feel misunderstood, judged, or dismissed," Dr Motwani says. “Fear of punishment, guilt, or burdening adults also silences them." Over time, emotional shutdown becomes a form of self-protection and avoiding your parents feels easier than confronting one's feelings.
What makes the Bhajanpura incident so unsettling is not just the crime itself, but what it reflects. A 6-year-old being raped by teenage boys shows our collective failure to teach emotional literacy early, to notice warning signs, and to intervene with care rather than shock.
Prevention, psychologists argue, does not begin with punishment. It begins with curiosity. With parents becoming investigators of their children's inner worlds. Asking difficult questions: What are they watching? What are they absorbing? Do they feel emotionally safe at home? Are they learning that power is the only way to be heard?
“It is rarely too late," Dr Motwani says. “The brain retains plasticity, and relationships can heal with patience, consistency, and emotional availability." For parents, and even the society, repair can begin by listening without interruption, and acknowledging feelings without rushing to correct them.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Delhi, Noida And Ghaziabad Schools Shift To Hybrid Classes Under GRAP 4 Why Delhi-Ghaziabad Traffic Is A Mess Even A Year After 10-Point Plan Ghaziabad police official threatens citizens with ‘device to identify Bangladeshis’ On Cam, Ghaziabad Restaurant Staffer ‘Spits’ On Tandoori Roti Section 163 enforced in Ghaziabad Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation to provide cashless medical Chinese Wedding Goes Viral As Twin Brothers Marry Twin Sisters Three minor sisters die after jumping off ninth-floor in Ghaziabad 3 sisters jump off 9th floor of building -online game angle emerges Ghaziabad sisters’ suicide
The Reserve Bank on Friday (February 6, 2026) revised upwards GDP growth forecast for the first quarter of the next fiscal year to 6.9% and 7% for the subsequent three months on the back of trade deals, GST rationalisation, and robust farm output. In December
Just now
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan attended the 9th edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha', an annual event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium. Pradhan highlighted on X that ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha' has become a nationwide movement fostering a
Just now
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics commence with a grand opening ceremony at San Siro Stadium. Athletes will compete across the Alps and Dolomites. American skier Lindsey Vonn tests her injured knee for a potential comeback. The Games aim to promote positive messages and celebrate Italian culture
Just now
US President Donald Trump has sparked widespread outrage after posting a video on his Truth Social platform that depicted former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as monkeys. The one-minute video, which the US president shared on Thursday
Just now
The Union Public Service Commission has issued the official notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026, announcing significant changes to the recruitment process and rules. This year, the Commission has amended 12 key rules, spanning from the application process to document verification
Just now
A suicide bombing at a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Islamabad on Friday killed at least 30 people and injured over 160. Security forces confirmed a suicide attacker was responsible for the blast, which remains under investigation. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack
Just now
“We are entering a rite of passage, both turbulent and inevitable, which will test who we are as a species," warned Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in his essay The Adolescence of Technology. He paints a sobering picture of how artificial intelligence (AI) could reshape the job market and fast
Just now
The ONLY question I get as a 30-something married woman is: when will you have a baby? I will admit this upfront: reading these stories makes me scared to even entertain that idea. A world where a six-year-old is allegedly assaulted by three boys aged 10, 13, and 14, barely older than her
Just now
Starlink phone service: SpaceX is exploring new services such as a Starlink-powered mobile phone, direct-to-device internet, and space-tracking solutions. Starlink phone service: Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, is preparing to expand its fast-growing business into new markets
Just now
Indian auto component manufacturers are likely to enjoy more access to European markets with improved price competitiveness under the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a report said on Friday. Mumbai: Indian auto component manufacturers are likely to enjoy more access to European
Just now
Software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm Capillary Technologies reported a 23% year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit, at Rs 7.9 crore, even as revenue grew on the back of a seasonally strong December quarter. The customer loyalty and engagement-focussed company's operating revenue rose 16% YoY to Rs
Just now
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blamed Ukraine for the shooting of a high-ranking Russian general in Moscow on Friday (February 6, 2026), accusing Kyiv of trying to derail talks on the war between the neighbours. In televised comments
Just now
Shares of tyre major MRF Ltd surged in trade on Friday after the company reported a its set of numbers for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025, with the bottom line more than doubling on a year-on-year basis. At 1:23 pm, shares of MRF gained 8.95 per cent to Rs 147004
Just now
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend Virat Kohli congratulated his franchise's women's counterpart for defeating Delhi Challengers (DC) in the WPL 2026 final, successfully chasing down a daunting target of 203 to lift the trophy for the second time
Just now
Malaika Arora stuns fans with her chic new haircut and bold bodysuit look. Her latest Instagram post has gone viral, with fans calling her a timeless goddess. Malaika Arora has once again set the internet ablaze with her jaw-dropping new haircut and smoldering style
Just now
The European Union on Friday accused TikTok of breaching the bloc's digital rules with "addictive design" features including autoplay and infinite scroll, in preliminary charges that strike at the heart of the popular video sharing app's operating model
Just now
The 50 recently made its much-awaited debut, instantly grabbing attention with high-voltage drama. The reality show has already seen several physical altercations, and following these, the show has only intensified, delivering explosive arguments and controversial moments. Meanwhile
Just now
The US decision to back Damascus and tell Syria's Kurds their partnership had “expired” has shattered Kurdish trust in Washington across the Middle East. From Syria to Iraq, Turkiye, and Iran, Kurdish groups are now reshaping alliances and strategies around the belief that US support is
Just now
Bangladesh is heading for its first parliamentary elections since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The country, which has been under the leadership of interim leader Muhammad Yunus, has seen widespread protests and political turmoil
Just now
The 50 episode update: Sumaira Shaikh also received an exit order following the same Lion's Crazy Games. The 50 episode update: New reality show, The 50 has managed to win over the audiences in its debut week. In this survival-driven format, week one saw multiple players exiting the show
Just now
The broader markets showed divergence from benchmark indices, as Nifty Midcap 100 index lost 0.02 per cent, while the NSE Smallcap 100 shed 0.27 per cent. Sectoral indices traded mixed, as consumer staples were the top gainers, with Nifty FMCG surging 2
Just now
Devika Sihag has become a name to watch out for in Indian badminton. The 20-year-old's breakthrough came at the Thailand Masters, where she beat higher-ranked Tung Ciou-Tong in the second round and stunned top-seed Supanida Katethong in the quarter-finals
Just now
At least 31 people died and more than a dozen were wounded in an explosion targeting a mosque in Pakistan's Capital city Islamabad's Shehzad Town on Friday. At least 31 people have been killed and over 169 injured following a blast outside a religious centre in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad
Just now
The Karnataka government approved ₹51.35 crore to supply sanitary napkins to schoolgirls, aiming to improve menstrual hygiene and reduce absenteeism. Karnataka: The Karnataka government has given the green signal to a statewide programme to supply sanitary napkins and menstrual cups to girl
Just now
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a petition filed by former political strategist Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party challenging the conduct of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Live Law reported. The petition had alleged that the state government misused a cash transfer scheme
Just now
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second Women's Premier League title. Skipper Smriti Mandhana delivered a match-winning performance. She scored a rapid half-century and a significant partnership guided RCB to victory. Former New Zealand player Katey Martin lauded Mandhana's exceptional
Just now
Prada Group has appointed Pieter Mulier as the new Chief Creative Officer of Versace. This marks a new era for the renowned Italian fashion house. Mulier brings extensive experience from leading fashion brands. He will lead Versace's creative direction, building on its rich heritage
Just now
