Why Govt’s Ban on Blue Whale won’t Save our Children, Here’s what More Needs to be Done

More than six children across India in the age group of 12-19 years have taken their lives allegedly playing this game within a span of two weeks.

Although the government has asked companies such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo to immediately take down any links leading to the deadly game it is unclear how these companies would make the game inaccessible. It is because this game is not publicly available and freely downloadable. It is a social media phenomenon where conversations about this take place secretively in closed social media groups.
More Needs to be Done, Here are Some Tips
 
The Blue Whale Challenge – What Parents Need to Know

FAQs
 
a) What is the Blue Whale Challenge and why should parents be concerned about this game?

1. The Blue Whale challenge is an online game. The game is named so because sometimes whales beach themselves intentionally and die. 

2. Inthisgame,an online administrator assigns tasks to its participants.The participants are given a period of 50 days to complete each task. The players are expected to take photos of them undertaking the challenge and upload them as proofs for the curator’s approval. The last challenge is to commit suicide. Players of this game cannot stop playing because they are blackmailed and cyber bullied into completing the game. 


This deadly game has spread all over the globe, and in India there have been reports (Report 1, Report2) of children harming themselves and in a few cases even committing suicides, which are allegedly linked to Blue Whale Challenge.

b) Where can children access this game?
Blue Whale is not a freely downloadable game, application or software. Children cannot access it on their smartphones through app stores or on social media platforms like Facebook. It is shared among secretive groups on social media networks. The creators seek out their players/victims and send them an invitation to join.

c) What kind of challenges do the players face in this game?
Some of the challenges in this game are listed below. It may not be a standard list of challenges and it is possible that curators of the game may come up with new ones.
 
More than six children across India in the age group of 12-19 years have taken their lives allegedly playing this game within a span of two weeks.

1. Carve with a razor “f57” on your hand, send a photo to the curator. 

2. Wake up at 4.20 a.m. and watch psychedelic and scary videos that curator sends you. 

3. Cut your arm with a razor along your veins, but not too deep, only 3 cuts, send a photo to 
the curator. 

4. Draw a whale on a sheet of paper, send a photo to curator. 

5. If you are ready to“becomea whale”, carve “YES”on your leg. If not–cut yourself many times (punish yourself) 

6. Task with a cipher. 

7. Carve “f40” on your hand, send a photo to curator. 

8. Type “#i_am_whale (rus. #я_кит) in your VKontakte status. 

9. You have to overcome your fear. 

10. Wake up at 4:20 a.m. and go to a roof (the higher the better) 

11. Carve a whale on your hand with a razor, send a photo to curator. 

12. Watch psychedelic and horror videos all day. 

13. Listen to music that “they” (curators) send you. 

14. Cut your lip 

15. Poke your hand with a needle many times 

16. Do something painful to yourself, make yourself sick 17. Go to the highest roof you can 
find, stand on the edge for some time. 

17. Go to a bridge, stand on the edge 

18. Climb up a crane or at least try to do it 

19. The curator checks if you are trustworthy 

20. Have a talk “with a whale” (with another player like you or with a curator) in Skype 

21. Go to a roof and sit on the edge with your legs dangling 

22. The curator tells you the date of your death and you have to accept it 

23. Wake up at 4:20 a.m. and go to rails (visit any railroad that you can find) 

24. Don’t talk to anyone all day 

25. Every day you wake up at 4:20 a.m. 

26. Watch horror videos 

27. Listen to music that “they” send you 


28. Make 1 cut on your body per day
29. Jump off a high building. Take your life.

d) The government has directed internet companies to ban the game. Should parents still be concerned?

1. Although the government has asked companies such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo to immediately take down any links leading to the deadly game it is unclear how these companies would make the game inaccessible. It is because this game is not publicly available and freely downloadable. It is a social media phenomenon where conversations about this take place secretively in closed social media groups. You can only be part of the game if an administrator contacts you and enlists you as a potential whale, or candidate. 

2. Also, it is now available under different names such as A Silent House, A Sea of Whales and Wake Me Up at 4:20 AM. 


Alternatively, there could be other similar games available as well.

e) Which age group is most prone to participating in this game?
Tweens and teens (i.e. 12-19 years) the most vulnerable group of Social Media, are most prone to Blue Whale Challenge.

f) What are the signs in teens that might indicate their inclination towards this game?
1. Most child psychologists say when a child tends to stay by himself/herself, stops interacting with family and friends, often talks about running away from home or even death, or changes eating and/or sleeping habits must be immediately given special attention. These are the basic symptoms of a child who may be inclined towards participating in this online game. Some relevant links to the signs and symptoms may be found here and here.

g) How can parents prevent their children from participating in such deadly online games or intervene?
Here are a few tips on how you can keep your child safe online

1. Make sure that your child has access to age appropriate online sites which do not promote 
unethical behavior or violence. 

2. Always ensure that your child accesses internet froma computer placed in the family space. 

3. Talk to your child more often. Explore the online world together and engage in interesting 
activities demonstrating ethical and safe online behavior. 

4. Use parental controls on all the devices used by your child. Monitor the screen time and 
keep an eye on his/her online activities. 

5. Be a role model to your child. Be conscious of your own online activities. 

6. Talk to other parents, share concerns if any and discuss best ways to help your children. 

7. Keep yourself updated with recent internet phenomena. 

8. Observe your child’s behavior closely. Be alert to any unusual changes like moodiness, less 
or no communication, lack of interest in studies and falling grades. If you notice any such changes, closely monitor his/her online activities, talk to school authorities or consult a child psychologist. 

9. If you find out that your child is already playing the Blue Whale Challenge, immediately stop him/her from using the internet from any devices. 

10. Inform your local police authority about what has happened and seek their advice on the next safety measures. 


h) How can teachers help?
                Teachers need to keep an eye on falling grades and social behavior of the students. 

                They need to monitor the behavior of each and every child. 
 Theyshouldlookforanti-socialbehavior,theyshouldpersonallytalktosuchchildren who don’t interact with the other children much or are aloof. 

               Iftheyobservesomethingthatmayseemsuspiciousoralarming,theyshouldinform the school authorities immediately. 

               Teachers should also ensure that children do not use any gadgets during school hours. 


•               They should ensurethat children are sensitized about the pros and cons of the internet 
from time to time. 


i) In case this information doesn’t help, who can you contact?
               NIMHANS 

               AASRA 

               SNEHA INDIA, CHENNAI 

               THE SAMARITANS MUMBAI 

               CONNECTING INDIA, PUNE 

               MAITHRI, KOCHI 

               SUMAITRI 

               LIFELINE FOUNDATION 

               SAATH 

                ICALL, MUMBAI (+91 22 2556 3291, e-mail – icall@tiss.edu) 

                PRATHEEKSHA, KERALA (+91 484 2448830 E-mail – rajiravi2000@hotmail.com) 

                PRATHYASA, IRINJALAKUDA (+91-480 – 2820091) 

                THANAL, KERALA (0495 237 1100 E-mail – thanal.calicut@gmail.com) 

                MAITREYI, PONDICHERRY (+91-413-339999) 

                ROSHNI, SECUNDERABAD (040 790 4646 E-mail – help@roshnihyd.org)