Experts have warned parents about the Blue Whale ‘suicide challenge’ after it was linked to the death of Briton who was stabbed to death in Portugal.
The game is said to have originated in Russia in 2016 and has been linked to numerous deaths around the world.
It is thought that the game encourages teenagers to take part in 50 tasks over 50 days that culminate in suicide, with other tasks ranging from watching horror films to waking up at odd hours, and ultimately self-harm.
In conversation with MailOnline, Dr. Mark Griffiths, professor of behavioral addiction at Nottingham Trent University urged parents to be aware of changes in their children’s mood.
He said, ‘IIf the game exists at all, those who control the game prey on young, impressionable individuals (i.e. young teenagers), especially those who are depressed and socially withdrawn.”
Carolyn Bunting MBE, co-CEO of Internet Matters, a non-profit online safety organisation, also told MailOnline: ‘No matter how digitally savvy you think your children are, they can still be vulnerable and often lack the critical thinking skills and have the emotional maturity to deal with harmful content that may be available online.”
A 35-year-old British man was stabbed to death in a forest in Portugal while playing suicide game Blue Whale, it is claimed. Pictured: Police officers prepare to lift the victim’s body, which has been placed in a gray box, into a waiting vehicle
The game is strongly associated with the name Jonathan Galindo, a man who can also be seen with his face painted as Mickey Mouse or a dog
The victim, who has not been named, was reportedly attacked after an argument broke out between a group of friends while they were playing the infamous suicide game, the online challenge linked to a string of deaths around the world.
Last week’s 35-year-old victim, who has not been named, was allegedly attacked after an argument broke out between a group of friends while they were playing the infamous game. A 26-year-old man has turned himself in to Portuguese authorities and reportedly confessed to the crime during the Blue Whale game.
Dr. Griffiths added: ‘Parents should be alert to any changes in their child’s behaviour, such as becoming withdrawn, uncommunicative, leaving the house at unusual times and/or getting up very early all the time, taking selfies in dangerous places, an increasing interest in self-harming behavior (e.g. looking at self-harm sites) and fear of social media.
‘However, these signs could be indicative of many other things and have nothing to do with the Blue Whale Challenge.
‘As a responsible parent you have every right to monitor what your child is doing on the internet and on his smartphone.
“You can also look for drawings of blue whales on bedroom walls or on arms and legs.”
This guidance was supported by Benjamin Williams, a project manager at youth charity Kicsters, who urged parents to be more aware of the dangers their children face online.
He told MailOnline: ‘Young people are exposed to a number of risks online and the content they access may seem harmless at first. This is the case for online games such as ‘The Blue Whale Game’, starting with a series of non-harmful or offensive challenges to attract young people before moving on to more risky and sinister tasks.
‘We encourage parents to note any behavioral changes in their child and contact youth workers, teachers, health professionals, police etc if they have any concerns.’
The game is strongly associated with the name Jonathan Galindo, a man who can also be seen with his face painted as Mickey Mouse or a dog.
The deadly Blue Whale ‘game’ involves fifty tasks in as many days, aimed at ‘creating psychologically traumatizing situations’, and ends with suicide.
Participants join a ‘group’ where tasks are determined by a ‘group manager’ and can range from watching horror films to waking up at odd hours, and eventually turning to self-harm.
On the 50th day, the controlling manipulators behind the game, which originated in Russia in 2015, would instruct the participants, mostly teenagers, to commit suicide.
The game, which reportedly started in Russia, has caused numerous deaths worldwide, including Ukraine, India and the United States.
Although the game’s legitimacy is under debate, it is recognized by British authorities who previously issued advice on the trend in 2020.
Northants Police warned about the game on social media, telling parents to be mindful of what children have access to online.
Rocky Gyoury, (right) who lives on Spain’s Costa Blanca, used a needle to make three cuts in his right arm after the story threatened to kill his mother Victoria Mcleish, 45, (left) if he did not comply
Rocky Gyoury was sent messages (right) and then encouraged to cut his arm (left) with a needle
The force said: ‘We are aware of a disturbing challenge circulating on social media, the ‘Blue Whale Challenge’, which encourages teenagers to take part in a series of 50 challenges culminating in them committing suicide.
‘This challenge first appeared in 2016 and tasks are given online or via text messages, instant messages or posts on Instagram and Twitter.
‘Please talk to your children about the dangers and tell them not to open these types of messages or challenges.’
Northants Police are advising parents to be on the lookout for children receiving messages or messages about Jonathan Galindo, a man who can also be seen with his face painted as Mickey Mouse or a dog.
And also receiving or referring to #f57, #f40 or #IMawhale.
Earlier that year, an 11-year-old British schoolboy was blackmailed by an anonymous Instagram user into slitting his own wrists after an apparent revival of the sinister game.
Rocky Gyoury, who lives on Spain’s Costa Blanca, used a needle to make three cuts in his right arm after the story threatened to kill his mother Victoria Mcleish, 45, if he did not comply.
The user – who only went by Johnothan – revealed details about Rocky’s age, school, address, mother’s name, phone model and details such as his IP address before asking him to ‘play a game’.
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for more information
For confidential support in Australia, call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.