CURIOSITY KILLS…

…especially if it is about the Blue Whale challenge

The Blue Whale Challenge has been around for a while now and there is no let-up in cases of youths ending their life allegedly as part of the ultimate challenge that the deadly online game throws upon them.

The game is said to have originated in Russia and while some 100 deaths across the world have been linked to it till date, the number is only rising. India too is witnessing the horrid impact of this terrible challenge and suspected cases have been reported from Mumbai, Kerala, Indore, Jodhpur, and more recently from Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district.

Talking about this disturbing movement, psychologist Dr Rajesh C Pandey says, “It is one of those bad times where child safety should be the utmost priority for us. Be it this game or any game, we are responsible for making our kids lives vulnerable. Parents and schools both need to wake up to this situation and stop the menace from spreading. And trust me both parents and teachers together can help by being a little observant and vigilant when it comes to our kids.”

Blue Whale Challenge is described as a game, but it is far from a game. The player at the end of the game is urged to take his or her own life.

Rakesh Chattree, principal Christ Church College says, “How can this be tagged as a game. Children should understand this in very first place or even better that parent and teachers interact with them on the issue. I remember in good old days the parents were completely informed about their child’s whereabouts and his or likes and dislikes.”

“I still recall how my mother used to warn me if she found me in any sort of

wrong company. But today I see even a lower kindergarten student getting irritated on being questioned. What times are we living in?” he says.

Perhaps, the answer lies in interaction with children and understanding our responsibilities as teachers and parents.

Many parents believe that things are all so commercialised that even schools don’t fulfil their responsibility leaving kids and parents to fend for themselves.

Parent Ritu Ahuja, adds, “Schools will blame parents for being ignorant but often schools and their administration too exhibit irrational attitude. In our times the class teacher had less number of kids to teach and look after so they were more observant but today there are 45-50 kids in each class. How can one expect the teacher to pay required attention to each of them?”

Hardly any school hold counselling session for kids to stay away from such hazardous games. “This is when they know that kids listen to their teachers and principals more than their parents at any given point of time,” says Ritu.

Principal of St Teresa Aashiana branch, Geetika S Kapoor believes that it is the duty of parents and school. “See, we provide no internet to students in school and even phones are prohibited so schools can’t be singly blamed for the issue. Also such mishaps happen due to easy accessibility of resources back home.”

“Talking to kids and giving them time where they can share all should be an important rule of parental bonding,” she says.

How can this be tagged as a game. Children should understand this in very first place or even better that parent and teachers interact with them on the issues RAKESH CHATTREE, PRINCIPAL CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE

HT PHOTO

Geetika S Kapoor