Blue Whale Challenge: What It Is, What It Is Not?

A 19-year-old boy named Vignesh from Madurai, probably unhappy with his life, decided to end his life last Wednesday, 30 August 2017. The teen committed suicide by hanging himself, leaving behind a suicide note that read, “Blue Whale is not a game but danger and once you entered you can never exit.”

Why Vignesh? Does this mean any other kid can also fall into the trap of this game? A fair number already have. Why does this “game” even exist? What is the government doing to tackle the Blue Whale menace?

A lot of questions. No one can doubt the fact that this Blue Whale nonsense is dangerous. But the fact that even after claiming so many lives this game is still lurking in the corners of the internet, ready to trap its next victim, is evidence that parents and kids alike still don’t know much about this deadly game. In fact, the government that tried to “ban” it has no clue about what is this thing and how to tackle it.

WHAT IS THIS BLUE WHALE GAME? IS IT A GAME OR A CHALLENGE?
First of all, it is not a game, as it neither in the video nor in mobile. It is not even a real life game. It is not an app either. Blue Whale is not Xbox or PlayStation or something that your child can play on his computer.

The Blue Whale Challenge starts as a conversation between a kid and a stranger, who is vulnerable. The link for this game is usually hidden inside the host of a comment below any YouTube video, some strange hashtags and even through private messages. The people who are fanning this phenomenon have defined their own language and seek complete info about their target before reaching out to them.

The curators of this fatal game are constantly on the lookout for vulnerable kids who can be easily convinced to perform dangerous tasks. The “players” are assigned 50 odd tasks like waking up at odd hours, climbing a crane, sitting at the edge of the roof, watching videos sent by curators, performing self-mutilating tasks like piercing needle in arms or legs, carving patterns on the body and lastly committing suicide.

IF NOT A GAME, THEN WHAT IS THIS BLUE WHALE THING?
Blue Whale is not a game. Then what is it?
The answer is blue whale is a phenomenon-an ugly one. Reports said that it was started by a guy named who is now in jail. It may have been started by him but the problem is that this phenomenon now has a life of its own. Sick people and psychos from all the corners of the world are now targeting vulnerable teens by assigning them deadly tasks in the name of Blue Whale. All this to satisfy their sadist soul.

Understand it this way. We all know about the Ice Bucket Challenge, which went viral on the web. People started tagging each other and challenged each other to complete the task. Well, it was for a good cause.

The Blue Whale, meanwhile, is also a similar sort of viral challenge only with very malicious idea lying in the heart. The game is meant to get rid of “biological waste” from the society. In simple words, it seeks to persuade vulnerable kids to commit suicide.

WHAT CAN THE PARENTS DO TO SAVE KIDS?
First, understand that Blue Whale can’t kill your child. It is what the stranger tells them that plays the trick on their minds and then leads them deeper into their insecurities and vulnerabilities.
Here is what you can do – observe your child. Talk to them if you find changes in his/her behavior. Take note if your child complains of loneliness.

Just like the real world has two sides – the good and the bad, virtual world also has some dark corners. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DARK WORLD. Discourage your kids from making contact with unknown people online.
Talk to your kids. Instead of hiding these things, tell them it is unsafe and how it is bad for them.
Lastly let them know how much you love them, how life would be nothing without your kids and how they are precious to you.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR THIS GAME
Remember life is beautiful. You are strong, beautiful, bright and so much loved. Problems are parts of life and parents should always be your first go to people. Don’t let some other person take charge of your feelings and manipulate you to take such insane steps. Express your feelings but only before someone you trust and know. Do not disclose too much information on social media and never responds to texts, emails or any contact coming from a suspicious source.