Government has directed internet majors - Google, Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo - to immediately remove the links of dangerous online game Blue Whale Challenge, which has led to suicide of children in India and other countries.

PTI | Updated: Aug 15, 2017, 02.29PM IST
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, by now you must be aware that social media has completely taken over p... Read More


NEW DELHI: Government has directed internet majors - Google, Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo - to immediately remove the links of dangerous online game Blue Whale Challenge, which has led to suicide of children in India and other countries.

7 things you should never share on Facebook, Twitter

7 things you should never share on Facebook, Twitter

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, by now you must be aware that social media has completely taken over people’s lives. Be it letting the world know where you’re headed by “checking in” on Facebook; or outraging about the topic of the day on Twitter; or posting pictures of the burger you ate with a silly hashtag on Instagram. However, there are certain perils of social media which in the excitement of sharing stuff, we often overlook. You never know who’s watching or tracking your social media activity. So, we have a list of what you shouldn’t share on social media...

Your full date of birth

If you think that sharing your full date of birth on Facebook cannot pose a problem for you, you’re wrong. Surprisingly, many people use their date of birth (even if not in the right order) as their password of one or more account. When you share your date of birth online, you are giving out information that may prove useful for hackers.

Your location

We are stating the obvious but sometimes it needs to be done. You may not be aware of it, but someone may just be stalking you. By giving away your location on social media, you are telling them your whereabouts literally at the click of a button.

Your address

Why share something extremely personal as your address online? It is a potential safety hazard and anyone can just show up at your front door just because you shared your address.

Your phone number

Social media sites, especially Facebook, is encouraging you to share your phone number. If you are really keen on doing so, the least you can do is change your privacy settings to ‘Only Me.’ This way, no one but you will know what your phone number is – and you already know your phone number, don’t you?

Vacation Plans

What could go wrong in telling your friends that you’re off to Europe or on a girl’s only trip to Thailand? Think again. By disclosing your vacation plans, you are sending out open invites to burglars to strike at your home. You can always post those amazing pictures from the trip once you are back.

Anything you don't want shared

You went to a college reunion and had a drink one too many. Your friends clicked – perhaps embarrassing -- pictures and shared them on Facebook or Instagram. Anything that you don’t want certain people on your friend list (or even those who aren’t on your friend list) to see, don’t share it online. And if a friend of yours has already shared it, then request them to take it down.

Too much information about your job

This one is also obvious, but we’ll reinforce it. You needn’t share too much information about your job. You don’t want to give away what you’re getting done at work or how.




"Instances of children committing suicide while Blue Whale Challenge have been reported in India...You are hereby requested to ensure that any such link of this deadly game in its own name or similar game is immediately removed from your platform," Ministry of Electronics and IT(Meity) said in a letter dated August 11 to the internet majors.

Blue Whale scare in MP schoolboy's suicide bid

The child was playing the game on his father's mobile phone for a long time but the parents had no clue, say police. Although the child and his classmates say he was playing the Blue Whale suicide challenge, police are sceptical because there is no mobile app of the game they know of, and the boy doesn't have any cuts on his body.





The letter was issued following instructions from Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, an official source said.



The Blue Whale challenge is reportedly a suicide game in which the player is given certain tasks to complete for a period of 50 days and the final task leads to suicide. The player is also asked to share photos after finishing the challenge.





Expressing concern on availability of such deadly game on internet, Meity said, "it is understood that an administrator of the game uses social media platform to invite /incite children to play this game, which may eventually lead them to take extreme steps for self inflicting injuries including suicide".



Mumbai and West Midnapore district have reported deaths linked to this game.

Meity said the proponent of Blue Whale Challenge should be reported to law enforcement agencies.


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