Blue Whale Challenge: DGP asks parents to keep abreast of Internet trends

Cuttack: With cases of death caused by online game ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ on the rise, DGP RP Sharma today reviewed the progress of probe in cases handled by the Crime Branch. Sharma also issued detailed guidelines for police as well as parents and teachers.

The DGP also issued advisory to SPs and DCPs to check the menace.

The top cop has advised parents and teachers to keep a tab of Internet trends to get an idea of what is influencing the youths. Throwing light on the signs and symptoms of victims of the online game inciting suicides, the advisory said those who begin playing the game stop interacting with family and friends, talks about running away from home or even death and also changes eating and sleeping habits. There could be a rise in signs of depression and spending too much of time on the phone.

Besides, the DGP asked police officials to conduct frequent raids at cyber cafes to find out existence of any link/website related to lethal online games such as Blue Whale Challenge, A Quiet House, A Silent House, A Sea of Whales and Wake Me Up at 4.20 pm. In case any such online games are found, the directive asked the police officials to remove the links and format the computers.