What is the Blue Whale Challenge?
The Blue Whale Challenge is an Internet game where players
are assigned 50 different tasks by the game admin (also known as curator). A
player has to complete all these tasks within 50 days and can only win it by
completing the last task – which is to take their own life. Lot of teenagers
& preteens get in to this trap and eventually die by playing this game.
The Blue Whale Challenge hit headlines after it was linked
to the death of 130 teenagers in Russia. Various media reports suggested the
game began in Russia before spreading to the rest of the world. The creator of
this evil game Philipp Budeikin have been
arrested. Every day we woke up with the news of few more death added up in the
basket of Blue Whale Game since this game is still active by the administrators
all over the world. The administrator of the game asks the users to submit
photographic evidence of the tasks. Out of interest the first few tasks are
done by the users with thrill , As the tasks become more extreme and if the
user fails to complete they get threat from the curators that they now have
access to the user’s personal information and will be in public domain to force
compliance.
Alarming Google Trend
A Google Trends report of the last 12 months shows that
India has seen the highest number of searches related to the Blue Whale
Challenge in the world. Reports also show that India has been holding this
infamous rank consistently for three months, with a 100 per cent surge in
searches.The most grim news of all is, of the top 50 cities in the world where
the highest number of Blue Whale Challenge related searches are done, the top
32 positions are held by Indian cities. This is quite alarming indeed.
Signs to make Yourself Alert:
- Here we bring to you common signs that parents and even teachers need to watch out for:
- If your child is spending long hours on gadgets... Also, his/her intensity of craving for gadgets.
- If he/she is drowsy in the morning... Nearly all the challenges involve waking up at 4.20 am.
- If he/she has started to lock his room...
- If he/she has hurt marks on his arms or thighs...
- If he/she has suddenly started watching horror movies or psychedelic thrillers...
- If he/she is putting strange updates on his social media pages...
- If he/she has started spending time on terrace alone...
- If he/she sympathizes with children who are committing suicide...
- If he/she starts to withdraw from friends and family...
- If he/she shows sudden outburst of anger...
- If he/she loses interest in activities that they used to enjoy earlier...
- Teach your kids (right from a young age) not to share their personal information on the Internet. Follow this rule yourself.
- Let them know that they can talk to you about anything wrong they see or come across online.
- Help them understand that strangers in real life are no different from strangers on the Internet.
- Caution them against joining any groups that ask them to perform undesirable tasks.
- Consider giving your children phones that they can use for just calling and texting. This way, you can limit their impressionable minds to the Internet. A leading Child Psychiatrist says “never give gadgets as gifts, and do not use gadgets as a means to calm a child or keep them busy”.
- Ask your child what they are doing online. It’s important you understand what websites, apps, and social media platforms they are on
- Check their privacy settings. Make sure they know how to make their profiles ‘private’ so they are not sharing personal information with strangers. For example, Facebook has a Privacy Health check feature
- Make sure they know when and how to report and block any malicious or inappropriate messages or posts
- Be careful about over-sharing personal information such as your school, telephone number or anything that identifies where you might live. Consider not using your full name for your profile
- Use the ‘t-shirt test’ when it comes to sharing images online or sending pictures or videos to friends: Would you wear it on your T-shirt? If not, then don’t send it
- Parents need to keep talking to the kids. Take interest in your child's activities. Give them space to share their feelings without negating them.
- Have regular conversations with your children about the risks they may be exposed to and how to deal with them, such as cyber bullying and grooming, and ensure they feel able to come and talk to you if they see anything upsetting
- Never reprimand your teen for whining, crying or staying aloof. Try to find out the reason behind unnatural behavior. For example, a disturbed stomach could be a sign of anxiety.
- Talk to your child for 20 minutes every day without interrupting them. This will help you read trouble signs - are they being bullied, body shamed or going through academic decline?
- Sync your phone with your child's phone and keep a track on their mobile activity. There are many such apps available.
- Do not interrogate your child. Instead try to explore by having a friendly discussion.
- If you see any attempt of self harm, go straight to a psychiatrist instead of a physician.
- Engage more with the teachers and school authorities. Encourage them to have mental health activities in school.
The Central government has directed Internet majors Google,
Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo to immediately remove links
of the game.
If you or anyone whom you knows undergoing the trauma of
mental stress and anxiety as a participant in the challenge please reach the
nearest Police Station, they are ready to provide you the best Counselling
service to restart better days.
Issued in Public Interest by www.sysmedac.com
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