But school districts across the country are warning parents of a new "game" that could actually leave kids dead.

The "Blue Whale Challenge," also called the "Blue Whale game," and "F57," is a "game" that investigators believe to have started in Russia, and has been the cause of multiple teen deaths by suicide.

It challenges players—teens and tweens—to tag each other on social media (primarily Snapchat). Once tagged, they're in the game.
The group behind the challenge gives teens a new task each day for 50 days.

Participants download the app, which essentially hacks their personal information, and cannot be deleted.

Challenges start with fear-inducing tasks like watching horror films all day long, or waking up in the middle of the night; but quickly escalate to tasks of self-harm, or the harming of others. Eventually, the final task on the 50th day is suicide—ending the game and their lives.

Kids are told via the challenge that "the best things in life start with the letter 's'—semiya (which means family), Saturday, sex and suicide."

Because the game is "played" through social media, much of the communication takes place through such platforms. Many of the tasks are documented with posts like, "This world is not for us," or "We are the children of the dead generation."

The elusive game has made it difficult for investigators to determine whether or not it is solely responsible for the spike in suicide attempts and deaths in Russia. It is also unclear whether or not the game has begun imprinting on children in the U.S. but it is rumored to have been introduced to students in two Alabama high schools.

There has been speculation that the game started out as a "complete hoax" in an effort to shut down social media networks in Russia, according to the Cyberbullying Research Center. But according to Yahoo News, "Even if 'Blue Whale' is a hoax, experts say it shines a light on how social media can push vulnerable teens to do dangerous things in order to feel included," as it is reminiscent of other risky trends like the duct-tape challenge and the 'choking game.' (Screengrab via Palm Beach Post)

Instagram recently placed a warning page in place that users are redirected to when searching phrases that are commonly associated to the game.

It can feel impossible to keep up with the ever-changing teen crazes, but as parents, this is something we cannot ignore. Talk to your kids today about this challenge, and be proactive about staying in the loop. We don't have to violate our kids' privacy to know what's going on among their peers. We have to be educated on what they're facing, and we can't be afraid to have the tough conversations—because our kids and their lives are worth it.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'Good News for the US Economy': President Trump Signs 'Phase One' of Trade Agreement With China

Prayer Alert: Trial of Trump Begins: Pelosi's Prosecutors Read House Impeachment Charges in Senate

After Project Veritas Videos, Bernie Sanders' Directors 'Going Dark' on Social Accounts, Meanwhile Mainstream Media Ignores What Was Exposed

President Trump Fighting to Put Prayer Back in Schools: 'We Will Not Allow Faithful Americans to Be Bullied'

Black Voices for Trump Announces a Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration, This Coming Monday, January 20th

'I'm Pro-Life': Iowa's Female Gov. Supports Amendment Protecting the Unborn

Say What Now?! 'Transgender Mother Can Be Listed as Father on Birth Certificate, Illinois Rules'

'Freedom! You Said You Would Deliver Us': Lou Engle—a Dream and a Word to Reach the LGBTQ Community

Lois Evans Caught a Glimpse of Eternity: the Amazing Things She Saw Right Before She Died

Tennessee Senate Passes Bill So Adoption Agencies Won't Be Forced to Place Kids With Gay Couples

Good News: Illegal Immigrant Crossings Fall 78% And Once Overcrowded Cells Are Nearly Empty

Macron Warns of 'Proliferation of Terrorism' in Africa, Commits France to Fight as Jihad Escalates

Voice Of The Martyrs Releases Prayer Guide To Help Christians Pray For Persecuted Believers

HEALTH: Israeli Breakthrough Technology Leads to Discovery that Will Help Preemies Breathe Easier

Beloved Christian Artist, Carman Licciardello Asks for Prayer as Cancer Returns

'Miracle That God Performed': Mac Powell Shares an Update on His Wife Aimee, Following Brain Aneurysm Last Month

Hillsong Church Raises Over $1M for Australian Wildfire Relief: 'Australia Needs Your Prayers, America'

'I Apologize for Lying to You on TV for Years': Iran State TV Anchor Resigns

Iranian Muslim Leader Admits That Mass Christian Conversion Is Happening In Iran

URGENT PRAYER: Three Christian Teachers Killed by Al-Shabaab in Kenya