Social Media Addiction Fuels Rising Crime in Bengaluru — 953 Cases Reported in 9 Months, Says Police
Bengaluru: In a startling revelation, Bengaluru Police have reported a 21% rise in crimes linked to social media platforms in 2025, underscoring how online addiction is increasingly driving real-world criminal activity.
According to official data, 953 cases related to social media misuse have been registered in the city in the first nine months of this year, compared to 784 cases in 2024. Police say young men and women form the majority of those involved, often drawn into cyber frauds, extortion, or defamation cases in pursuit of fame, likes, or money.
“Social media can show you the world in a second — but it can also destroy lives in seconds,” an investigating officer remarked, referring to recent cases involving actor Darshan, actress Ramya, and online users who faced legal action for offensive posts and comments.
Police revealed that over 300 objectionable posts were tracked this year, and 50 accounts have been blocked for spreading false information or hate content. Bengaluru’s cybercrime division has intensified surveillance on major platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, following a surge in digital offences including stalking, blackmail, and fake profile scams.
A senior officer from the Cyber Crime Police Wing said,
“A dedicated Cyber Command Centre will soon be operational to monitor online activity in real-time. We are also improving detection and conviction rates. Currently, more than 16,000 cybercrime cases remain pending in Bengaluru alone.”
Police have urged citizens, especially youth, to exercise caution on social media.
“Do not chase likes, money, or attention through illegal or provocative content. The law will take strict action,” the officer warned.
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