Santa Ana, in Margarita Island, woke up to mourning after a minor child, just 12 years old, was found dead in his room, in an apparent suicide.
According to preliminary versions, the boy was supposed to participate in a viral internet challenge known as “The Blue Whale,” which encourages participants to complete 50 challenges of increasing risk.
Neighbors and close friends of the victim said that the child was happy and had no problems, which is why they were surprised by his death.
However, in recent days they have noticed him increasingly isolated and lonely, characteristics that are consistent with the behavior caused by this terrible game.
The local authorities of Margarita Island have started the relevant investigations to confirm the relationship between the death of the minor and his possible participation in the challenge.
In the same way, psychologists and social workers are called to carry out tasks at an individual and group level around people affected by this painful event.
In social networks, anger does not wait. “Be careful with these types of games,” wrote one affected user.
“Young people are buried in the abyss that leads them to dark roads,” said one user.
Parents and representatives are called to be alert about the activity of children and young people on the Internet, managing the content they access.
Likewise, psychologists recommend maintaining an open dialogue about the dangers of some viral challenges and promoting recreational activities with them that keep minors away from these harmful influences.
