Now Reading: Kerala teen murder sparks call to curb screen violence
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Kerala teen murder sparks call to curb screen violence
Four teenagers, including a 13-year-old girl, are in custody for the murder of 65-year-old Sivankutty Chettiyar at Karuvatta in Kerala. Police said the adolescents admitted they planned the crime based on scenes…
Four teenagers, including a 13-year-old girl, are in custody for the murder of 65-year-old Sivankutty Chettiyar at Karuvatta in Kerala. Police said the adolescents admitted they planned the crime based on scenes from Malayalam and Tamil movies watched on OTT platforms.
Psychologists warn that exposure to violent content on screens can desensitise children and normalise harmful acts, leading to imitative behaviour. The case adds to a pattern of 'Drishyam-inspired murders' being reported across the country.
The article calls for a framework involving policymakers, film personalities, educationists and mental health experts to address the issue without compromising artistic freedom, citing the example of Stanley Kubrick who withdrew 'A Clockwork Orange' after copycat violence.
Indian Opinion Analysis
India has no statutory film certification category for OTT content, leaving platforms to self-regulate. The case renews debate over whether streaming services need clearer age ratings or mandated warnings for extreme violence. Previous similar incidents have not led to binding regulation. The next signal to watch is if Kerala Police or the central information and broadcasting ministry propose any specific code for digital content.
Source: newindianexpress.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
