The four games, all belonging to the horror-survival and puzzle genre, are downloaded by millions and are easily accessible to kids. (AI Image)
The tragic suicide of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad has opened a painful dialogue around the impact of mobile gaming on youth mental health. The sisters, Nishika, Prachi, and Pakhi, have left behind a chilling account in their personal diaries, highlighting frequent mentions of horror-based mobile games, raising questions about their psychological implications. These revelations have prompted calls from police and educational authorities for stricter controls over children’s access to such content.
Investigators revealed that the online games extensively played by the sisters, including Poppy Playtime, The Baby in Yellow, Evil Nun: Scary Horror Game, and Ice Scream, fall within the horror-survival and puzzle genres. These games are downloaded by millions and are easily accessible to children due to their free or low-cost availability. Officials have raised concerns that the combination of prolonged exposure and reliance on digital engagement has adversely affected their mental well-being.
1. Poppy Playtime
Poppy Playtime immerses players in a haunted toy factory filled with sinister characters such as Huggy Wuggy. Its first-person perspective combines puzzle-solving with a deeply unsettling atmosphere, where dark visuals, jump scares, and claustrophobic environments create an intense experience. Although the game is rated for players aged 12 and older, experts caution that its themes can still be frightening for younger audiences.
2. The Baby In Yellow
In The Baby in Yellow, the player takes on the role of a babysitter for a child who appears perfectly normal until supernatural events ensue. What begins as a mundane task escalates into a series of darkly humorous and genuinely unsettling instances. Despite its popularity, experts warn that this blending of childcare with horror elements can sow confusion and fear among younger players, given its eerie soundscapes and disturbing graphics.
3. Evil Nun: Scary Horror Game
Set within a school, Evil Nun presents a frightening scenario where an infected nun terrorizes children. The gameplay requires players to solve intricate puzzles while avoiding capture. Hindered by violence and intense visual scenes, it appeals primarily to older teenagers. However, the game’s premise – depicting authority figures in terrifying roles – could potentially heighten anxiety levels in impressionable users.
4. Ice Scream
Ice Scream revolves around an ice-cream vendor who abducts children, requiring players to rescue them through stealth and ingenuity. Although presented with cartoon-style graphics, the themes of kidnapping and suspense evoke considerable concern. Experts note that the underlying message of fear combined with playful visuals could have lasting effects on youthful minds.