'Challenge' plumbs new depths

In response to the spread of the "Blue Whale Challenge", a sinister social media "game" that encourages youngsters to undertake dangerous dares and inflict self-harm, even end their lives, the Chinese internet regulator recently launched a precautionary check and scrutiny campaign along with internet companies.

The 50-day challenge, which is believed to have originated in Russia and reportedly led to 130 suicides in six months in that country, assigns a taskmaster who entices participants to complete tasks that range from listening to music to causing self-harm, and ultimately commit suicide.

The internet should facilitate people-to-people contacts and exchanges, but there are also many social butterflies in cyberspace who are unable to interact with others in the real world. The courage these people lack in real-world social interactions is what online games such as the Blue Whale Challenge seem to offer. Such games make players feel they are of value, understood and accepted.