The Supreme Court on Friday directed public broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) to conceive and air a cautionary and educational programme on the dangers of Blue Whale online game, which allegedly has caused several suicides.
The court noted that “anything that threatens life should be condemned.”
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra gave DD a week’s time to prepare the programme and air it on prime time for an appropriate duration, possibly not less than 10 minutes.
What is Blue Whale game?
“Suffice to say that the Blue Whale game is dangerous to life. What endangers life has to be condemned and not allowed,” Chief Justice Misra observed.
DD, the court said, would script the programme in consultation with the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Welfare Department, Human Resource and Development and Information Broadcasting and Technology.
The court also directed the competent authority in the government to see to it that private channels also telecast the programme.
“The idea behind the programme is to make parents and children aware of the dangers of online games like Blue Whale. The message of the programme should be that children should not be trapped by the game. There are children who are lonely and frustrated. Definitely visuals will have more impact,” Chief Justice Misra said.
Myth of the Blue Whale
28 cases traced to have links with the game
According to Additional Solicitor General P.S. Narasimha, a committee constituted by the Ministry of Information Technology found that around 28 cases have been traced to have links with Blue Whale game. A probe was on and a complete picture of the extent and means of the game would be ascertained in the next three weeks.
The Centre was determined to “stop the game”, which has the potentiality to destroy life. The government had communicated to many agencies and online platforms to check and inform on the availability and use of the game, he said.
The court posted the case for hearing on November 15.