DNA Edit: Blue Whale Challenge - The game of death

The Gujarat government has taken up the gauntlet of the Blue Whale Challenge by becoming the first state to issue a notification banning the game. It has also upped the ante by instructing school authorities to be vigilant about the deadly dare. Coupled with this, the Madras High Court’s direction to the Tamil Nadu police to take strict action against those sharing the Blue Whale Challenge while seeking technological expertise from Madras IIT to tackle the online menace are timely interventions.

These robust measures — on the ground and on the Internet — should be able to tackle a morbid trend that has found acceptance among children and young adults. Thanks to the HC and Gujarat government, this will soon become a nationwide battle. The Blue Whale Challenge is as condemnable as child porn. The Centre’s success in the latter should encourage it to take radical steps to crack down on the game of death that has already claimed several lives.

Along with that, parents and teachers have a vital role to play too. They need to monitor a child’s behavioural pattern as well as keep an eye on his internet activities. A recluse, with low self-esteem, is an easy target. When a child commits suicide to win a game, it means he is pushed to seek validation from strangers since his family and friends have disappointed him. His distress signals had gone unnoticed when he was in dire need of counselling.