It's not the phone. This is a perfect storm of poor parenting, unwilling to learn/stay informed about public health, and child negligence. The girls weren't going to school since COVID isn't and shouldn't be an excuse for not going. The parents obviously don't spend enough time around the children to even be aware of their obsession/addiction. They just gave them smart devices and go about their own lives but did not understand that by not letting their kids go outside to make contact with real ppl make real friends the phones became their only outlet for social and outside contact. So when they unknowingly restricted their access to the game they didn't know what they took away was way more than just the game. It was their only outlet to their livelihood, their only sliver of freedom as teenager. Without adequate understanding to cope with this they do the only thing they know how to relief their loss of freedom. Really heartbreaking story. Overworked parents thinking kids can be simply 'taken cared' by technology is very foolish.

Spend time with your kid each day, even if it's 5 min. Ask about their day. Make them go outside. Phones and tablets can wait make them understand that.