A disturbing new social phenomenon is emerging across Gujarat, India, where middle and upper-class families are resorting to hiring private security guards and bouncers to manage their own teenagers. This unusual measure is a response to escalating issues like severe screen addiction, substance abuse, and violent outbursts among adolescents, a crisis intensified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Security for Teenagers: A Growing Trend
Cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot are witnessing a rise in requests for security personnel to monitor teenagers. These guards are tasked with enforcing 'no-phone' rules, preventing access to drugs or alcohol, and curtailing risky social interactions. What was once a service reserved for celebrities or nightlife venues is now a domestic necessity for many concerned parents.
Ahmedabad Case: Round-the-Clock Supervision
One prominent example from Ahmedabad involved the parents of a 16-year-old girl who hired four bouncers to guard her 24 hours a day. The family reportedly spends around Rs 65,000 monthly as part of her de-addiction process. Psychiatrist Dr. Mrugesh Vaishnav noted the teenager's extreme dependence on social media, leading to violent reactions when her phone was confiscated. She had allegedly engaged in extensive online interactions with strangers and secret meetings.
The situation escalated when she reportedly threw household appliances, including a television and microwave oven, from their high-rise apartment and physically attacked her mother. Mental health experts involved indicated that conventional medication alone was insufficient, necessitating "enforced control" to prevent self-harm or harm to others.
Surat Incident: Protecting Pets from Aggression
In Surat, another family employed security personnel to protect their pet dog from their 17-year-old son. The teenager allegedly assaulted the animal during angry outbursts linked to severe gaming addiction. Local security agencies reported that the son used the dog to vent frustration after arguments with his father over excessive gaming. Eight bouncers were reportedly deployed in shifts for several months to manage the situation.
Screen Addiction: A Mental Health Emergency
Psychiatrists highlight that these cases point to a rapidly evolving category of behavioral addiction, particularly intensified since the pandemic. Unlike traditional substance addictions, screen addiction thrives on constant digital stimulation, social validation, and emotional escape. Experts observe teenagers spending six to eight hours daily online, fostering unhealthy emotional dependencies.
Doctors warn that severe withdrawal symptoms can mimic those seen in substance abuse, including aggression, anxiety, self-harm tendencies, and social isolation. Some teenagers in Gujarat now require weeks or months of hospitalization to reduce screen dependency and stabilize their behavior.
A Booming Business for Security Agencies
Private security firms across Gujarat are experiencing a surge in demand for "family monitoring" services. Bouncers are being specifically trained to handle emotionally volatile teenagers discreetly and without escalating conflict. Costs range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per day per guard, with monthly expenses often exceeding Rs 50,000.
"Agencies are increasingly being contacted by families dealing with children who become abusive when denied phones, gaming access, money or substances," states the original report.
Beyond addiction, affluent families in Rajkot are also hiring personnel to monitor teenagers involved in rash driving, street fights, and dangerous social situations. These assignments sometimes involve covert surveillance to prevent scandals, legal troubles, or harmful behaviors from spiraling out of control. Helpline operators and counselors report a significant increase in calls concerning teenage aggression and phone-related conflicts since the pandemic, often involving threats of violence or self-harm when devices are removed.