Games have always been an integral part of childhood, but now in the internet era, the open air playgrounds get new dimension with the mobile, tab and desktop screens. Though online games provide social interaction it has a darker side to it too. One such game with its own perils is Blue Whale Challenge which reportedly killed an obscene number of children across the globe. The game itself cannot be found on any game stores online and reportedly chooses players on invite basis only. It goes by many other names such as – A Blue Whale/ A Quiet House/ A Silent House/ A Sea of Whales/ Wake Me Up at 4:20 am.
The intended targets of the game are kids aged between 12 to 19 years who may show signs of mental vulnerability and hence are more susceptible to manipulation. The admins or the curators of the game ask their victims to do tasks and send a photo as proof of the task. The notoriety of the tasks increases gradually as they set up their victims to take more self-harming steps. Here is a glimpse of some activities that the blue whale challenge requires their victims to do.
It is important to understand that games such as these, prey upon the vulnerabilities of children. Often as parents, it is easy to not completely understand what your child might be going through or the child might not be willing to open up about their problems. But it is important to talk to your kids and understand what is going on with them.
Here are a few things you can do.
The Blue Whale Challenge has already claimed a lot of lives, stop it by being more aware and lending your child the guidance they need.