ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Blue Whale: The Online Game That’s Pushing Teens to Commit Suicide

The Blue Whale challenge has reportedly claimed over 130 lives so far. 

Updated
Tech News
2 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

The 30 August suicide of a teenager in Madurai has been linked to the ‘Blue Whale Challenge’. Some 3,000 km away, another teen in Assam was brought to the hospital with injuries that were, yet again, linked to the 'Blue Whale Challenge'. The past few weeks have seen a spate of similar incidents, all linked to the sinister online game.

But what is this game and why is it being tagged as dangerous? Read on.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

What Is the ‘Blue Whale’ Challenge?

The Blue Whale ‘suicide game’ is an online social media group that encourages players to kill themselves, via a series of challenges and games. It is said that a group administrator assigns daily tasks that one must complete for 50 days. Some of the tasks involve self mutilation, watching horror movies and waking up at unusual hours. Thee tasks get more extreme as days pass. On the 50th and final day, the admins instruct the players to commit suicide.

0
The Blue Whale challenge has reportedly claimed over 130 lives so far. 
List of ‘Blue Whale’ challenges. (Photo: Reddit/jeanclauder)
The Blue Whale challenge has reportedly claimed over 130 lives so far. 
List of ‘Blue Whale’ challenges posted by jeanclauder. (Photo: Reddit)
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

How Many Lives Has 'Blue Whale' Claimed?

Police in Russia are said to be probing at least 130 suicides which they fear are linked to the online game. Two schoolgirls, Yulia Konstantinova, 15, and Veronika Volkova, 16, recently fell to their deaths from the roof of an apartment block in industrial Ust-Ilimsk, Russia.

Most of the children who were reported dead were from well-to-do families.

One of the victims, Yulia, left a note saying “End” on her social media page after she posted a picture of a big blue whale.
The Blue Whale challenge has reportedly claimed over 130 lives so far. 
Yulia Konstantinova (left) and Veronika Volkova (right) from Russia are believed to be victims of the ‘Blue Whale’ game. ( Photo: )
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Should You Be Worried?

No reports of the malicious game have been reported in India yet, although there have been widespread reports of the game in Russia, United Kingdom and some parts of Spain.

The biggest fear is that since it is an online entity and spread over the internet, it can be accessed from anywhere. Parents must remain vigilant about their children’s online activities. It would also help if they talk to their children to help create awareness about malicious content online.

(This story was first published on 29 April 2017. It is being reposted from The Quint’s archives in light of the series of deaths that are linked to the online game.)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from tech-and-auto and tech-news

Published: 
Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×