This is Jonestown in the age of technology. The founder of an online “game” called the Blue Whale Challenge has said his victims are “biological waste,” that they were “happy to die,” and that he was “cleansing society.”
The online Blue Whale Game is spreading throughout social media and the bodycount is rising. If you haven’t heard of it yet, the “challenge” is an online “game” in which “players” are encouraged to self-harm and eventually commit suicide.
Innocent, brainwashed teens, the majority female, and many of whom come from stable homes, are winding up victims of this twisted challenge.
Started in Russia in 2013 by expelled psychology student Phillipp Budeikin, the game has claimed 130 lives in Russia, and many more throughout the world, including the US. Budeikin has been jailed in Russia, accused of inciting 16 teenage girls to commit suicide. The 21-year-old has confessed to his crimes.
Teenagers have sent love letters to Budeikin in jail. They are idolizing a psychopath. And, by law, it is impossible for the state to prevent him from writing back, if they have provided their addresses.
Here’s how the game works: An online administrator or “curator” supervises each of 50 challenges, which can range from something as innocent as watching a horror movie to something serious like carving a wound in the shape of a large whale on your forearm.
The name of the game derives from beached whales, an analogy for suicide. Other challenges include standing on the edge of a rooftop, killing an animal and posting pics of it online, writing a social media status that says you are a whale, listening to music the “curator” sends, and talking with a fellow whale on Skype. The final task is jumping off of a building.
Instagram has flagged members who have searched for posts tagged #BlueWhale.
When searching #BlueWhaleChallenge on Instagram, a message pops up that says: “Can we help? Posts with words or tags you’re searching for often encourage behavior that can cause harm and even lead to death. If you’re going through something difficult, we’d like to help.”
Disturbing images of self-mutilation come up when you search hashtag #BlueWhale. I wouldn’t advise it.
Meanwhile, some anti-Blue Whale Challenge teens have countered with the Red Whale Challenge, which encourages 50 tasks such as writing “I am beautiful” on your hand, listening to relaxing music before going to bed early, and indulging in some chocolate after a meal.
The Blue Whale Challenge is evil, outrageous, dangerous and depraved. It’s a cult. And it leaves me fuming.
If you are in need of help or are involved in this cult, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK.
