Blue Whale posing a challenge! : The Tribune India

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Blue Whale posing a challenge!

LUDHIANA:A 13-year-old boy from a reputed public school in the city today claimed to be playing the “Blue Whale” challenge that is said to involve a series of 50 tasks perpetuating self-hatred.



Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 18

A 13-year-old boy from a reputed public school in the city today claimed to be playing the “Blue Whale” challenge that is said to involve a series of 50 tasks perpetuating self-hatred. 

The tasks compel youngsters to inflict self-harm, the last task is supposed to culminate in suicide. The boy’s classmates reported to the teacher that there were visible signs of self-inflicted harm on the boy’s arms. His claim sent teachers in a tizzy, though experts say it may merely be a case of attention-seeking. 

“Youngsters with low self-esteem, psychological inadequacy and poor impulse control look for escapism. They opt for compensatory mechanisms such as participation in self-destructive online games and tasks that leave them a physical and mental wreck,” says Dr Ravinder Kala, a city-based psychologist. There is a feeling of regret after an impulsive act of this kind, the psychologist adds. Youngsters are impressionable and their exposure to real-life is limited, says educationist Mona Singh. They start exploring the virtual world that is illusory and the upshot of this exploration is devastating —  children are sucked into a world built on falsehoods, lies and deception. 

Involve in your child’s life

“It is regrettable that hardly 10 per cent of parents show interest in special seminars we organise for them on issues such as cyber safety. School pays resource persons for seminars. Parents only have to spare some time to attend these sessions. But they are not interested,” says Mona.  Parenting is not just about paying school fee or tuition fee or providing food and other comforts to the child. It entails investing your time in the child’s life! If there is satisfying communication between the parent and the child, the child does not feel the need to turn to the virtual world.


About the ‘game’ 

The game is based on the relationship between challengers (also called players or participants) and administrators. It involves a series of duties given by the administrators 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 last task being suicide 

Communication the key, say experts

Psychologists advise parents to keep the channels of communication open. Parents should be aware of their child's online behaviour. "A major factor that sends youngsters deep into the illusory online world is loneliness. When parents are too busy to spare time for their child, communication snaps. Merely telling a child that online thrills are dangerous is not enough. Discuss with the child the better, healthier and saner options,” says Mona. Parents should eschew lecturing, according to Dr Kala. “Listen to your child's views even if you find these uncomfortable or unpalatable. Share your thoughts, ideas and experiences with your children. You may discuss with them that there are beautiful and meaningful tasks that add to our happiness. There are wonderful experiences that give us a sustained feeling of happiness.”

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