The first death in India believed to be linked to the global Blue Whale challenge has been reported. In Mumbai, a 14-year-old boy allegedly jumped to his death from the fifth floor of an Andheri building on July 29.
Though nothing was found on his mobile phone, in some WhatsApp groups, his friends were seen discussing his death being associated with the suicide challenge.
Blue Whale suicide challenge, one you should avoid
The Internet is all about fads, if you type "challenge" in a search engine, it's going to show you videos that have people eating a two-pound cake, standing on one leg for hours and several other fun ones.
What if a challenge, slowly pushes you to commit suicide in 50 steps?
This could have been a bad joke but sadly it isn't.
What is the Blue Whale suicide challenge?
The challenge supposedly originates from online social media groups, where the administrator sets out tasks for participants to complete.
The tasks range from self-mutilation to waking up at ungodly hours; and when the 50th day approaches, participants are brainwashed into committing suicide in order to complete the challenge.
The targets for these challenges are comprised of teenagers; some as young as 14.
The Boogeyman lurking on world wide web
The masterminds behind this "sick" game use pressure tactics when the participants try to get out of the game.
Threats come in the form of leaking personal information or harming people who are related to the participant.
The participant has to prove that he/she has completed the task by sending pictures and if one fails to do so, it would get them disqualified.
It all began in Russian winter
In May 2016, the Russian citizens first came to know about this phenomenon of Blue Whale and associated "death groups" after Novaya Gazeta, an investigative newspaper reported a news about a mother whose 12-year-old daughter had committed suicide.
The mother claimed that through the daughter's online activity she was able to ascertain that some secret "death groups" were inciting teenagers to commit suicide.
"Baleia Azul", the Brazilian version of Blue Whale
The game, first discovered in Russia made its presence felt all across the world; it gained traction among Brazilian teenagers who are calling this online death trap, Baleia Azul.
Although the number of victims is not yet confirmed, eight states have reported self-harm and online threats cases involving teenagers.
The mayor of Curitiba warned people about the game in a Facebook live video.
Police issued warnings over Blue Whale challenge in UK
The Blue Whale challenge has now entered the UK as well, with the Essex police informing schools about the nature of the game and its disastrous ending.
Devon and Cornwall Police PCSO Kirsty Down tweeted, "Whoever created this horrible game is sick! Parents: Please be aware of this 'game' talk to your children about it if concerned" to raise awareness."
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