Baldwin encourages parents to talk to children

A local pediatrician is advising parents to be aware of a dangerous game that has the potential to lead to suicide.

Dr. Gabrielle Baldwin said the so-called “game” is being spread by social media, and scares her to death.

The Blue Whale Challenge, also known as the Blue Whale Game, gives students a new challenge to harm themselves each day for 50 days, with the final challenge being suicide.

Earlier this week, Baldwin County Schools alerted parents that the game might have been introduced at two of their schools.

The Blue Whale app is shared primarily through Snapchat.

Once a student downloads the Blue Whale app, it cannot be deleted.

The app gives administrators access to all of the personal information on the device. In turn which is in turn used to threaten teens if they don’t complete the daily challenge.

The game appears to have begun in Russia, where state investigators estimate that 130 child suicides in 2015 and 2016 could be connected the game.

Dr. Baldwin said she has heard of one suicide in Alabama.

To date, there have been no reports of the Blue Whale Challenge circulating in Covington County. However, Dr. Baldwin encourages parents to be aware of the app’s existence and talk with their children about it if they think it necessary.