Mental Health 2017: How does one tackle the Blue Whale challenge that is plaguing India?

Is the Blue whale phenomena an amalgamation of the evils of social media, erosion of parental communication or neglect and a draw towards virtual reality with our youth today?  

We're not even sure as yet whether the Blue Whale truly exists as an app, game or a challenge or is it by invite only over the dark web.  Blue Whale Challenge is supposedly played through “curators”, who are real people, inviting you to join the game and helping you take the plunge. The so-called game could be running with a different name altogether in which the term “curator” has been replace by “coach” or anything else. However, we clearly know that there is absolute media hype and paranoia that seems to be spreading wide and fast amongst the youth and parents. Surprisingly there is an alarming increase and search for this Blue Whale out of curiosity and intrigue. 

Yet we do not realise that there are far more children and youth viewing pornography (some of it highly perverse and disturbing), on apps such as Tinder / Grinder, on Facebook accepting friend requests from strangers, in chat rooms discussing how to cut one's self and indulge in self harm or discuss various ways in becoming Anorexic.

Some YouTube videos which our children watch show graphic animal torture, rape, violence or even murder. 

Our newspapers and headlines are riddled with information that yet again is not age appropriate or shared content which you would not want your child to read or review. 

How does one control all of this and even more. Our children during their impressionable adolescent years or as teenagers are curious, rebellious and will indulge with experimentations of various kinds in order to ascertain independence, identity and conform to peer pressures. They will also do so without telling anyone, leave alone their parents. 

What do our children need to know and what do we need to do -? 
- Loneliness and downs in life are part of each of our lives and families. 

- Communicate, talk and listen to each other at all times - more so during difficult phases. 

- Have those embarrassing talks with children with regards to growing up, sexuality, bullying, relationships, dating, loss or death. 

- Engage with your child over the internet, Facebook or on social media as it's not a taboo, however a major part in your child's life. We need to embrace the same within boundaries of time. 

- Do so with explicit do's and don’ts and use all levels of safety measures that could be incorporated through technology and through rational explanations, evidence based research and age appropriateness. 

- Encourage quantity time, outings and meal times without phones, gadgets or televisions. 

- Prioritise outdoor activities, sports and emphasise on physical health and healthy eating habits. 

- Never use fear, threats or harsh consequences over discipline or when they make mistake and consider wrong options.  They will shut down further.  

- Be vigilant and aware of what the warning signs could be - low or irritable moods, isolation, social withdrawal or being locked into their rooms for long hours. Increased usage of screen time or listening to different kinds of music.

- Lack or loss of interest in almost everything.

- Disturbed sleeping patterns. Secretive behaviours. Alterations in personality. Questions or conversations encompassing death, suicide, feeling trapped, alone or isolated.  Any kind of substance abuse or initiating use of alcohol or cigarettes. Also, any suspicious cut marks, scratches or wounds should be seriously looked in to. 

- Responsible reporting and always encouraging children or families to talk or seek appropriate mental health services as these curators usually target already disturbed children or families. 

- Awareness, Early intervention and identification leads to prevention and sometimes even save a young life. 

The author is a child and adolescent psychiatrist; and medical director of Mpower