Show care to youngsters playing deadly ‘Blue Whale’ game, Hong Kong anti-suicide group urges
Association for Preventing Youth Soc-icide wants to ‘hijack’ social media phenomenon in order to save lives
A Hong Kong anti-suicide group has appealed to the public to be watchful for youngsters taking an online challenge that induces them to indulge in self-harming behaviour and ultimately take their own lives.
The call from the Association for Preventing Youth Soc-icide, formed by several young people in the city, was made after messages surfaced on Facebook recently indicating that the “Blue Whale” challenge had begun to arouse interest here.
The challenge is believed to have originated in Russia and targets young people on social media, assigning them sinister tasks over a 50-day period, ranging from watching horror movies all day and waking up at 4.20am to carrying out self-harm and ultimately taking their own lives.
The phenomenon was suspected to be linked to a series of teen suicides internationally, according to media reports.
The authorities in several countries, including China, Britain, New Zealand and France, have warned teenagers of the dangers of getting involved in the “game”.