Danbury Superintendent of Schools Informs Parents of Dangerous Social Media Game

Danbury Superintendent of Schools, Sal V. Pascarella, recently wrote a letter to parents informing them of a social media "game" with European orgins that has made its way to the American teen scene. "The Blue Whale Challenge" is dangerous as it may tempt our youth to engage in risky behavior that may ultimately lead to suicide. 

According to Snopes fact-checking website, the game works this way: The player signs up to play the game and agrees to follow instructions over the course of 50 days.  An administrator assigns a series of tasks (anything from cutting yourself to listening to song) that the player must accomplish.  The player wins when they complete the final task, committing suicide, on the 50th day.

Superintendent Pascarella said, "When it comes to the well-being of your children, our students, we can never be too careful. Tha's why I feel it is important to bring to light a new "meme" or "game" on social meida that students in other countries have been exposed to since last year. It has now shon up on computers in schools in our region.

"The Blue Whale Challenge" involves the enticement of students into risky behavior that could result in the ultimate challenge of taking one's life. While we have not known of any student who have done that, we need to make sure that parents are armed with information necessary to protect their children."