Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 9: Even though tragedies due to Blue Whale Challenge are not reported in Karnataka, the education department has decided not to take any chances and has issued circulars to deputy directors, block education officers, head masters and teachers.
Department of Public Instruction Commissioner Sowjanya in the circular has listed five directives and advised teachers and parents to check:
* Whether there are any unusual symbols and scars especially on shoulders and lips.
* Whether children watch horror movies continuously.
* Whether children wake up at 4.20 am.
* If children are listening to bizarre music.
* Whether children post depressing messages and selfies on social media.
The Commissioner stresses the need to create awareness, to avoid vulnerable children falling prey to the deadly game. Pamphlets should be distributed and processions should be held. If parents and teachers have the slightest doubt regarding children playing the game, they should approach the police, states the circular.
Awareness meetings among children and parents about ill effects of the game should be conducted by teachers, School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) and voluntary organizations.
Instructions should also be issued to the cyber café owners to block the game and monitor if children are accessing this game.
The Blue Whale Challenge, which reportedly originated in Russia, challenges youngsters to take part in 50 harmful activities over 50 days. Some of the dares include harming oneself by cutting the skin, isolating oneself, visiting graveyards at night, viewing horror movies, listening to disturbing music and, finally, committing suicide.
Children and teenagers are invited to play this game through a customized link on the social media. If any player wants to opt out, they are threatened by the game administrator that their family will be harmed.
Most of the children who have played the game and survived reported that they wanted to end their life to save their family.