The police said online multiplayer games, especially battle royale titles, are becoming a major concern among children aged 10 to 17, with peer pressure often driving spending on game items, skins, passes and paid draws.
According to the advisory, children are increasingly using phones given for online classes or general use to play long hours of online games, including late into the night. Police said this trend is more visible in households where parents work long hours, have limited digital awareness or allow unrestricted access to smartphones.
The advisory also highlighted the mental health dimension of excessive gaming. It noted that the World Health Organization recognisesGamingDisorder as a disease marked by impaired control over gaming and a growing preference for gaming over school, sleep and family life, even when it causes harm. It added that excessive gaming has been linked to aggression, academic decline, sleep disturbance, eye strain and reduced social interaction.
PARENTAL ADVISORY: Protecting Children from Online Multiplayer Gaming Risks & Financial Losses
We have noticed an increasing number of cyber fraud complaints reported to our Cyber Crime PS which, upon investigation, reveal no hacking or outsider involvement. Instead, these… pic.twitter.com/qNFIVI0rH6
— V.C. Sajjanar, IPS (@SajjanarVC_IPS) June 24, 2026
Hyderabad Police advised parents to remove saved cards and UPI autofill options from any device accessible to children, including those used by grandparents, and to ensure that every transaction requires a PIN or biometric authentication. Parents were also urged to activate parental controls and purchase approvals on app stores, enable transaction alerts and consider giving children a separate low balance prepaid payment option if digital access is unavoidable.
The advisory asked families to set clear screen time limits, monitor gaming activity and speak openly with children about the games they play. It also suggested switching off the WiFi router at night if there is no essential need for internet access. Parents were told to watch for warning signs such as falling grades, poor sleep, irritability, secrecy or loss of interest in other activities, and to seek help from a school counsellor or psychologist if these issues persist.
Sajjanar said the advisory should not be seen as a blanket opposition to gaming, but as a warning against unmonitored access that can lead to financial loss and, in some cases, expose children to online grooming or abuse. Hyderabad City Police said it is available for awareness and outreach sessions for parents and schools on request. (Maxim News)
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