Despite government restrictions on several online gaming platforms, children in India are increasingly turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass bans. Cybercrime experts warn that this loophole exposes minors to both financial exploitation and mental health dangers.
Authorities recently highlighted a case in Mohanlalganj, where a teenager reportedly lost ₹13 lakh on online games before taking his own life. Investigators say such tragedies underscore how easily safeguards can fail when children find ways around regulatory controls.
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Fraudsters Exploit Loopholes
Professor Triveni Singh, a former IPS officer and cybercrime expert, said VPN access gives minors entry to unregulated and often predatory platforms. “These are not just games — they are gateways to financial exploitation and addiction,” he explained. Operators, often based overseas, exploit weak monitoring systems that Indian agencies struggle to police effectively.
Police warn that fraudsters typically start small — a minor in-app purchase or hidden subscription — before escalating to larger sums. By the time families discover unusual financial activity, losses can already be devastating.
Parental Oversight Urged
Officials emphasize the role of families in preventing harm. Parents are urged to closely monitor devices, avoid storing card details in apps, and treat sudden behavioral changes or secretive online habits as potential red flags. “Technology will always outpace enforcement,” Singh noted. “The real safeguard is awareness at home and in schools.”
Addictive Games Still Accessible
Despite bans, multiplayer games resembling poker and teen patti remain widely popular among teenagers. Their competitive and reward-driven structures fuel compulsive play, with VPNs making regulation nearly impossible. Experts caution that many families only realize the risks after irreversible financial or psychological damage has been done.
A Call for Awareness
Cybercrime specialists say a long-term solution requires both technological and social measures. While authorities work to tighten monitoring, experts stress that society must treat online safety with the same seriousness as road safety. “Without awareness,” Singh warned, “we are leaving our children unprotected against a threat that hides in plain sight.”