School: Social Media Challenge Called 'The Blue Whale Challenge' May Have Resurfaced

SPOONER, WI -- According to a letter sent today from Spooner Middle School Principal Miss Giesrege to parents and guardians, the a social media challenge called "The Blue Whale Challenge" may have resurfaced.

The "The Blue Whale Challenge" apparently encourages participants to engage in activities from "watching a scary movie in the middle of the night" to "self-harm in the form of cutting," according to the letter, and "participants are given one challenge per day for a total of 50 days. The last or 50th challenge is suicide."

Miss Giesrege says that she is not aware of any Spooner Middle Student engaging in the Blue Whale Challenge at this time but wants parents and guardians to "be aware so you may have conversation at home and/or monitor for changes in behavior that might indicate that your child is participating in these types of challenges."

For more information on the Blue Whale Challenge, please consider the following resources:

• Washburn County Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7/365) for concern regarding self-harm or suicide: 888-860-0373
• Cyberbullying Research Center: Blue Whale Challenge by Justin Patchin
• Common Sense Media: Privacy and Online Safety