Blue Whale Challenge
Social network cyberbullying phenomenon
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Key Takeaways
- Blue Whale Challenge (Russian: Си́ний ки́т , romanized: Siniy kit ), also known simply as the Blue Whale , is a social network phenomenon, first appeared in Russia in 2013, that is claimed to exist in several countries.
- "Blue Whale Challenge" first attracted news coverage in May 2016 in an article in the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta that linked many unrelated child suicides to membership of group "F57" on the Russian-based VK social network.
- The piece was criticised for attempting to make a causal link where none existed, and none of the suicides were found to be a result of the group's activities.
- The game has reportedly been banned in some countries, including Egypt, Kenya, and Pakistan.
Blue Whale Challenge (Russian: Си́ний ки́т, romanized: Siniy kit), also known simply as the Blue Whale, is a social network phenomenon, first appeared in Russia in 2013, that is claimed to exist in several countries. It is a "game" reportedly consisting of a series of tasks assigned to players by administrators over a 50-day period, initially innocuous before introducing elements of self-harm and the final challenge requiring the player to commit suicide.
"Blue Whale Challenge" first attracted news coverage in May 2016 in an article in the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta that linked many unrelated child suicides to membership of group "F57" on the Russian-based VK social network. A wave of moral panic swept Russia. The piece was criticised for attempting to make a causal link where none existed, and none of the suicides were found to be a result of the group's activities. Claims of suicides connected to the game have been reported worldwide, but none have been confirmed.
The game has reportedly been banned in some countries, including Egypt, Kenya, and Pakistan. Experts have said that it is difficult or even impossible to ban the game.
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