Class 9 student dies in Malda after scolding over social media use, probe underway

The death of a Class 9 student in the Kadubari area under Alal Gram Panchayat of Gazol police station in Malda has triggered shock and concern across the locality. The deceased, identified as 15-year-old Sumi Tudu, was a student of Shiuchand Parameshwar Vidya Mandir and the youngest of three daughters in her family.

According to family members, Sumi had been spending considerable time making dance and acting reels on social media. With unit test examinations scheduled in April, her mother reportedly scolded her for neglecting her studies. Later that night, Sumi allegedly consumed pesticides kept at home. She was rushed to a rural hospital the next morning after her condition deteriorated, but doctors declared her dead. Police said the teenager had earlier been accused of skipping studies and travelling with friends to make reels, a matter that was also reported by her private tutor. While the immediate trigger appeared to be the scolding, police said preliminary suspicion suggests there may have been additional factors involved. The student’s mobile phone has been seized as part of the investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading to her death.

Psychologist MK Mahato from Malda highlighted the growing psychological impact of social media on teenagers. “Currently, the influence of social media is increasing the psychological needs of teenagers at a young age. If those needs are not met, such extreme decisions are seen due to frustration and self-esteem. Regular counseling of students is very important,” he said. The incident has once again raised serious questions about adolescent mental health and parental awareness.