Blue whale internet game

Rio de Janeiro police investigate game that prompts young people to suicide on the internet

The Rio Civil Police is investigating an internet game that may be leading young people to body mutilation and even suicide. Known as the Blue Whale, the game is practiced in closed communities of Facebook and Whatsapp. He instigates the players, the vast majority of them adolescents, to accomplish 50 tasks, the last of which is suicide.

Delegate Fernanda Fernandes, from the DRCI, believes that the game, already identified in other countries and other states in Brazil, is being practiced in Rio. It already has at least four suspected cases, All involving teenagers.

"It does not look like a rumor. We have several communities that we are tracking about the game, some directly speaking the name Blue Whale, others with codenames. The game exists, it's real, "said the delegate.

Fernanda heard on Monday afternoon (17) the father of a 14-year-old college student from a state college who reported concern that the teen might be involved in the game because she would have scratched the whale, With sharp object, in the forearm, which is one of the phases of the Blue Whale.

This Tuesday (18), the delegate will, with her father, meet her. The aim of the investigation, she said, is to prevent young people from committing suicide, rather than finding the group mentors, which will be done in the course of the work.

"We have this victim that we will try to listen to. The clues, the photos and Facebook posts, lead us to believe that she has involvement with the game. She has the blue whale design on her forearm, although we do not have contact with her to confirm this. We've already seen cuts on her body and posts hinting at suicide, so we're worried, "he said.

Fernanda Fernandes appealed to relatives and friends of possible victims to search the police station and report the facts. "The appeal to parents is that they check for any change, change in young behavior, and any more introspective depressive behavior. If they have more nocturnal habits and at dawn on the internet. Parents have to have control of what their kids are doing on social networks. And pay attention if you have any evidence of injury to your child's body. You also need to contact the school. The teenager, when he becomes a victim of the game, changes the behavior, "he said.

Complaints can be made by telephone at DRCI (21) 2202-0273 or by e-mail from the police station (drci@pcivil.rj.gov.br). Mentors of the games, which has emerged in Russia, may be indicted for crimes of criminal association, personal injury, threat and even murder. According to reports, mentors threaten victims if they leave the game.