When a 10-year-old contestant named Ishit Bhatt took the hot seat on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 (KBC) before the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, no one expected the short episode to ignite one of India’s biggest debates on parenting, children’s behavior, and overindulgence.

Bhatt, a confident fifth grader from Gujarat, impressed some with his quick answers and poise. Yet, his snippy remarks and assertive attitude rubbed many viewers the wrong way. Social media soon erupted, labeling him everything from “arrogant” to “disrespectful.” What followed was a full-blown Internet cycle—viral fame, public backlash, relentless memes, and eventually, empathy.

As the trolling intensified, psychologists and parenting experts stepped in to explain what may have been behind the boy’s demeanor: a behavioral pattern known as the “Six-Pocket Syndrome.”

The Viral KBC Moment That Sparked a Nationwide Conversation

During the show, Ishit displayed unusual confidence for his age. When Bachchan began explaining the rules, the boy interjected, “Mere ko rules pata hai, isliye aap mujhe samjhane mat baithna” (“I already know the rules, so you don’t need to explain them to me”).

He pushed to move quickly through the questions, urging the host to skip pleasantries and get straight to the quiz. His haste and insistence to “lock” answers without hesitation struck many viewers as arrogance.

His overconfidence culminated in a question about the Valmiki Ramayana:

“What is the name of the first Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana?”

Options:

A. Bala Kanda
B. Ayodhya Kanda
C. Kishkindha Kanda
D. Yuddha Kanda

Eager to prove himself, Bhatt blurted out the wrong answer—“Ayodhya Kanda”—without using a lifeline. As a result, he walked away empty-handed. The moment drew both laughter and sharp criticism online, while many applauded Bachchan for his calm and graceful handling of the situation.

Highly satisfying ending!
I'm Not saying this about the kid,but the parents.if you can't teach your kids humility,patience, and manners, they turn out to be such a rude overconfident lot.not winning a single rupee will surely pinch them for a long time. #KBC #KaunBanegaCrorepati pic.twitter.com/ZW1CfRP4Ak— Soni Yadav (@Soniyadav646) October 12, 2025

Internet Reactions: From Memes to Parenting Debates

The episode’s clips spread across X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram, with countless memes mocking the child’s behavior. Some users blamed “bad parenting” and celebrated what they saw as poetic justice when Bhatt lost.

One viral post read:

“Very satisfying ending! Not saying this about the kid, but the parents. If you can’t teach humility and patience, kids turn into rude, overconfident adults.”

Others condemned the harsh trolling of a minor. Singer Chinmayi Sripaada called out adults for bullying a 10-year-old online:

“An adult calling a kid the ‘most hated child’? What a horrible reflection of us as a society. You’re picking on an overexcited kid—how cruel.”

Amidst this noise, one perspective stood out. Shekhar Dutt, a Chandigarh-based entrepreneur and teacher, urged empathy and linked Bhatt’s behavior to a deeper sociological issue—Six-Pocket Syndrome, a growing concern in modern Indian families.

why we should stop trolling that KBC kid 🙏

pic.twitter.com/IHcuPcCy9d— Shekhar Dutt (@DuttShekhar) October 13, 2025

What Exactly Is Six-Pocket Syndrome?

The term Six-Pocket Syndrome originated in China during the one-child policy era. It describes a child who becomes the center of attention for six doting adults—parents and four grandparents—each contributing their emotional and financial resources to fulfill every desire.

Dr Rajiv Mehta, senior psychiatrist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, explains, “Parents, often due to guilt or lack of time, end up overcompensating. They don’t want their children to shed a single tear, so they meet every demand without setting boundaries.”

The “six pockets” represent a circle of indulgence: parents and grandparents who provide unlimited affection, money, gifts, gadgets, food, and praise. While well-intentioned, this constant gratification can make a child overly dependent, impatient, and resistant to authority.

In India’s urban middle and upper-middle-class families, where many couples now have one child, the same dynamic is increasingly visible. Dual-income parents often compensate for limited time by overindulging their children—mirroring China’s once “Little Emperor Syndrome.”

Why does he look like he reacts to viral memes on YouTube with his friends pic.twitter.com/DpL1hmbGmM— Sagar (@sagarcasm) October 13, 2025

The Psychology Behind Overindulgence

Experts emphasize that being an only child doesn’t automatically cause behavioral issues. What matters more is the parenting style.

Psychiatrist Dr Zirak Marker of Mpower (Aditya Birla Education Trust) notes, “The intent behind overindulgence is love, but it can teach children to rely on instant gratification and inhibit their emotional regulation.”

Dr Paramjeet Singh from Delhi’s PSRI Hospital adds, “Joint families can be both nurturing and confusing. When multiple caregivers pamper a child without a unified approach to discipline, it becomes a case of ‘too many cooks for the same broth.’”

Such children may display early assertiveness or even rudeness, but deep down, they are products of excessive affection without boundaries.

An adult putting a tweet saying most hated *kid*.

Adults here on Twitter have been one of the most lousy, foul mouthed, abusive lot; none of these voices said a thing when kids died due to a cough syrup.

But yeah pick on a kid. Says a LOT about the ecosystem.

This entire lot… https://t.co/F5pORD1ENv— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 12, 2025

Recognizing the Signs of Six-Pocket Syndrome

According to experts, children showing signs of Six-Pocket Syndrome may:

• Constantly demand new toys, gadgets, or treats

• Throw tantrums when denied anything

• Seek constant praise and validation

• Struggle with sharing or waiting their turn

• Show possessiveness or low empathy

• Depend on adults for simple tasks

Over time, this can affect their emotional development. They may find it hard to deal with failure, accept criticism, or form balanced social relationships.

Dr Mehta warns, “When these children face real-world rejection, they crash. Some become aggressive or even physically abusive in teenage relationships because they never learned to handle denial.”

He was over confident. Probably because that’s how his parents have nurtured him.

He learnt a lesson which he won’t forget for his life. Big B was extremely graceful in the entire event.

Time for internet to move on. The kid has enough trauma for his childhood https://t.co/nnhFMtppUg— Niks (@niks_1985) October 12, 2025

How the KBC Incident Reflects Broader Parenting Patterns

The viral KBC episode didn’t just make headlines—it became a mirror to modern parenting. Many saw it as an example of a generation of children who are “heard but not guided.”

Dr Mehta says, “Parents today often legitimize every expectation their child has. From gadgets to grades, they reward before responsibility. We are moving from a responsibility-based society to a right-based one.”

This indulgence, he explains, is often fueled by parental guilt. Busy working parents feel they can compensate for their absence with material comfort. Grandparents, in turn, shower affection, often overriding discipline. The result? A child who grows up believing their wants equal their rights.

Corrective Parenting: Building Responsibility, Not Entitlement

Experts agree that Six-Pocket Syndrome can be prevented—and even reversed—with conscious parenting.

Key strategies include:

• Setting clear boundaries on screen time, spending, and indulgences.

• Rewarding consistency and effort, not just achievements.

• Assigning age-appropriate responsibilities such as cleaning rooms or setting the dinner table.

• Encouraging social interaction through playdates and teamwork to build empathy.

• Allowing safe failure, so children learn resilience and problem-solving.

• Aligning all caregivers (parents and grandparents) to maintain consistent rules.

“Empower your child, but don’t indulge them,” says Dr Mehta. “Let them earn their rewards rather than expect them.”

Beyond the Viral Clip: A Lesson for All

While Ishit Bhatt’s brief appearance on KBC may have sparked intense scrutiny, it has also triggered an important dialogue. His assertiveness may have been misread as arrogance when, in fact, it reflects a generation raised in comfort but seeking validation.

As psychologist Dr Marker notes, “Children are naturally self-focused. Emotional maturity—like listening and patience—develops with guidance, not punishment.”

The so-called “KBC kid” moment should serve as a wake-up call—not for shaming a child, but for examining the modern parenting culture that prizes instant gratification over discipline.

Ultimately, Six-Pocket Syndrome isn’t about spoiled children—it’s about overwhelmed parents. The antidote lies not in criticism, but in cultivating responsibility, emotional intelligence, and empathy.

As one social media user put it, “It’s all a journey of emotional growth, not a flaw.”

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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