Jewish schools warn over online game which dares players to kill themselves

In an email sent on Thursday, titled "important safeguarding message", he shared a message from Hertfordshire Police warning about the dangers of the game.

The Blue Whale Challenge is reported to involve people being set a series of tasks over 50 days — ending in the player being dared to take their own life.

In the game, players are given tasks by an anonymous “master”, apparently starting with the challenge to watch a horror film, and escalating in dangerous demands. The last challenge, reports say, asks the player to kill themselves.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said: ”While there have been no incidents relating to this in Hertfordshire, it is an ideal opportunity to educate and prevent."

The police statement said: “The Blue Whale Challenge is about targeting vulnerable young persons on line and befriending them. Once their trust is gained, they are set 50 challenges.

"These are a variety of challenges that build upon the previous in terms of risk and severity. The 50^th challenge culminates in a dare to the vulnerable person to kill themselves."

Mr Lewis said he had shared the message with staff at the Hertfordshire Jewish school "so that they can report any potential concerns". 

He encouraged parents “to take interest in your child’s internet usage and question unfamiliar games or unfamiliar contacts/friends/followers”.

Hasmonean High School, in Hendon, also contacted parents about game, and at the same time issued a warning about the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why, a show about a student who leaves behind audio tapes describing the role various people had in her decision to commit suicide.

The email, sent on Thursday, read: “Whilst there are those who argue that the series itself raises important issues, the National Association of School Psychologists (an American organisation) has stated that it believes this series should come with a warning.  You may not be aware that Netflix is not subject to the same vetting standards as other television broadcasters.

“Whilst many young people are capable of differentiation between a TV drama and real life, research has shown that this type of programme can be a risk factor for those struggling with mental health issues.

“We urge you to speak to your children and ask if they have heard or seen the series or read the book.  If they have, please take time to discuss it with them.   Talking about this issue and how it might affect them creates an opportunity for anyone who might need it to gain help.”

Hasmonean headteachers Rachel Fink and Debbie Lebrett also urged parents to identify children who may be vulnerable to the Blue Whale Challenge, which they described as ”equally disturbing”.

JCoSS also contacted parents about both the TV show and the Blue Whale Challenge, calling them "potentially worrying trends" and telling parents to look for children carving the image of a whale into their hands, which is a telltale sign of the latter.

Headteacher Patrick Moriarty wrote: "The (Blue Whale) challenge originated in Russia but has been spreading across Europe, with some deaths attributed to it. Thames Valley Police suspect some influence of the challenge on 3 recent deaths in the UK.  

"There is no evidence of our students being involved in this, but as always we encourage parents to be aware of their sons’ and daughters’ online activity and to discuss the issues with them.  If you have any concerns in relation to this or any other aspect of ‘digital parenting’, please do contact us.

"If your son or daughter intends to read the book or watch the programme (13 Reasons Why), perhaps you could consider doing so together, and spend some time discussing the issues raised afterwards. As ever, students are welcome to speak to any member of staff should they have concerns that they would like to discuss."

Immanuel College, in Bushey, emailed parents on Wednesday highlighting the risk posed by 13 Reasons Why, recommending no child under 16 years of age watches it.

The email stated: “We do not recommend that vulnerable youth, especially those who have any degree of suicidal ideation, watch this series.

“Its powerful storytelling may lead impressionable viewers to romanticize the choices made by the characters and/or develop revenge fantasies.

“They may easily identify with the experiences portrayed and recognize both the intentional and unintentional effects on the central character.

“Unfortunately, adult characters in the show, including the second school counsellor who inadequately addresses Hannah’s pleas for help, do not inspire a sense of trust or ability to help. Hannah’s parents are also unaware of the events that lead to her suicide death.”

Immanuel also sent six points of advice for parents, including help in identifying at-risk children and tips on talking to teenagers about mental health.

Deputy headteacher Beth Kerr said: “It’s a very popular series but it should come with a warning. Children in Year 8 and 9 are watching it and they’re not equipped to deal with it.

“We feel the school, parents and teachers have to work together with things like this. We speak to pupils about what’s doing the rounds and then respond. We try to be as pro-active with these things as we can but it’s difficult when you’re dealing with a moving target.”

King Solomon High School, in Ilford, said it also intended to warn parents about the TV show and the Blue Whale Challenge, and will ask parents to monitor pupils’ social media activity more closely.