The Blue Whale (game) also known as "The Blue Whale Challenge" is in limelight now a days. This game is trending on social media for a while now. Its an internet game that eventually encourages you to end your life by passing through a series of tasks assigned to you by the game administrator. It's a dangerous game that resulted in many suicides across the globe. Majorly teenage or young people who are somehow disappointed from their life are targeted.
Here's all the details of its origin, structure, worldwide spread and targets!
Origin of (Suicidal) Game
The Blue Whale Game was invented by a psychology student Philipp Budeikin, who was expelled from his university. It began in Russia in 2013 with "F57", one of the names of the so-called "death group" of the VKontakte social network. Budeikin stated that his purpose was to "clean" the society from worthless, disappointed people. Therefore, by inventing such game he aimed to push those people towards suicide. This game allegedly caused its first suicide in 2015. This Internet "game" is claimed to have an existence in several countries so far and is continuously effecting innocent lifes. It is believed to have killed more than 150 teens so far.
The term "Blue Whale" comes from the phenomenon of beached whales, which is linked to suicide.
In 2016, teenagers of Russia started to play Blue Whale game more frequently when a journalist brought attention to it through an article that linked many unrelated suicide victims to the Blue Whale, creating a wave of moral panic in all over Russia.
Afterwards, Budeikin was arrested and pled guilty to "inciting at least 16 teenage girls to commit suicide". He was sentenced to three years of imprisonment. Which led Russia to start Russian suicide prevention legislation and renewed world-wide concern over the Blue Whale phenomenon.
Structure of Blue Whale (Game)
The game is based on the relationship between its players and the administrators. The game allegedly consists of a series of tasks assigned to players by administrators during a 50-day period, with the final challenge requiring the player to commit suicide. It involves a series of given duties that players must complete, usually one per day, some of which involve self-mutilation. Some tasks can be given in advance, while others can be passed on by the administrators on that day.
The list of 50 day tasks includes, waking up at 4:20 A.M., climbing a crane, carving a specific phrase on the person’s own hand or arm, doing secret tasks, poking a needle to the arm or leg, standing on a bridge and roof, listening to music, and watching videos sent to the challengers by the administrator. While the last task is to suicide!
The administrators strictly control who can gain access to the game. It is also said that the admins identify their victims and send them the link, which once opened on their phones, copies every single data from their devices to the administrator's, which in the end is used to threaten the victim and forcing him to perform whatever tasks are assigned to him, including suicide as his last task.
Its Spread - Reported Cases
This game is spreading widely among the unaware and is affecting them badly. Many societies are raising their voice to spread awareness among people.
Teens from Argentina, La Plata, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Paulista (Pernambuco), have already destroyed their lifes attempting to complete the challenges offered by the game.
People are continuously expressing their concern about the game.
In Teófilo Otoni, a 17-year-old female participant of Blue Whale jumped from the six-meter wall but the young woman survived and was hospitalised.She told the police that she had already cut her arms because of the game and that she had been given the challenge of taking her own life.
In the Chilean city of Antofagasta, a mother reported to the police that her 12-year-old daughter had 15 cuts on her arm that formed the design of a whale. After being interviewed by police officers, she confessed that she followed game administrator's instructions while playing this game.
In China, the human embroidery is also linked to Blue Whale game. During the Summer of 2017, Chinese authorities became increasingly concerned with the link between the destructive Blue Whale "game".
In Georgia, a 12-year-old girl tried to commit suicide, allegedly as part of the game. The girl jumped from the fifth floor but survived and is undergoing medical treatment at hospital with multiple injuries and traumas.
In India, a 16-year-old boy from Kerala in Southern India was reported to have committed suicide on 26 July 2017, after playing the online Blue Whale game. The mother of deceased told the media, boy had committed suicide after deleting all the games from his mobile phone. Acknowledging that her son had informed her about playing the fatal game, she said she had persuaded him to refrain from playing it, but to no avail. She also said he had downloaded the game nine months ago and that he told her not to worry if he dies soon.
On 10 August 2017, a Class VII student in the city of Indore was pulled away by a group of students, before he could take the final suicide leap, off the third floor of the School. The boy apparently recorded the whole 50 stages of the game, in his school diary.
On 3 September 2017, a class XI student committed suicide by jumping in front of a running train after allegedly playing the Blue Whale game.
Necessary Steps to be taken
For Parents
There are so many cases which can be reported here. But instead of penning it down, we should take steps for its eradication. Parents should be well aware of the actions of their children. Parents should take interest in their child's activities and also
give them space to share their feelings without negating them. The should try to find out the reason behind unnatural behaviour. For example, a disturbed stomach could be a sign of anxiety.
Media Literacy
It is extremely important to make children understand the online risks, making media literacy extremely important. There is a need to develop the ability of critical thinking, which will help them understand the difference between fantasy and reality.
Children are exposed to violence, drugs, alcohol and even body shaming through media. This can influence their behaviour and can lead to depression, self image issues, and aggression. But if they are taught to critically approach any content online, they will find themselves better equipped to face threats of the unreal world.
Facebook is also working with suicide prevention partners to collect phrases and hashtags associated with online challenges encouraging self-harm or suicide.
Stay Safe and Aware
We should stay safe and make our surroundings well aware of such dangerous games available on internet. Life is a blessing should not be wasted. Stay productive and positive with your life and see how it changes. You life is priceless don't let a game ruin it.
Do share you experiences if any!