‘Blue Whale clearly an abatement of suicide’

The Asian Age.  | sanjay kaw

Metros, Delhi

IT ministry issues detailed advisory for parents to fight menace.

The advisory issued by the ministry said: “Blue Whale game is clearly an abatement of suicide.

New Delhi: Amidst the rising challenge of ‘Blue Whale’ online game, which has spread its tentacles across the country, the ministry of electronics and information technology has issued a detailed advisory for parents to monitor their children’s online and social media activity to ensure that they do not engage themselves with the deadly game as it could lead to a surge in suicides in India and other countries. The ministry has advised parents and guardians to install a good cyber/mobile parenting software which would help them monitor the online activities of their children. It has also advised parents to seek immediate professional help if they fear their children are at risk.

Earlier, taking note of the online Blue Whale game challenge that has caused a furore in the country, the ministry had directed Facebook, Google India, WhatsApp, Yahoo India, Microsoft India, Instagram, and other internet giants to remove the links of the “killer” online game which has led to suicides by children in India and other countries. This fatal game is suspected to be behind the suicides of several teenagers across the world, including India.

The ministry, in its advisory, also asked parents not to talk about the game “unless there is reason to believe your child already knows of or has played the game” as discussing it may “increase the chance that your child will search for it on their own.”

The advisory issued by the ministry said: “Blue Whale game is clearly an abatement of suicide. It is understood through various internet reports that it is shared within secretive groups on social media networks. The creators seek out their players/victims who are undergoing depression and send them an invitation to join the game. The basis of the challenge is that an anonymous “group administrator,” otherwise known as “the curator,” hands out 50 tasks to selected “players.” These tasks must be completed, documented, and posted during a 50-day period. Players of the challenge can’t stop playing once they’ve started; they are blackmailed and cyber bullied into completing the “game.” The advisory suggested that guardians should be attentive if they notice any unusually secretive behaviour, mostly related to the online activity, of their child.

“Check in with your child; ask how things are going. Ask if there have been things stressing them, or anything that has them worried. If your child is talking about any level of distress, do not hesitate to ask them about changes in mental health,” it said.

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