Category: The Parent’s Corner

In 1999, Congress enacted the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to protect children 13 and under from the dangers of online privacy invasion. The act was revised in 2013 to include even more details of what information can and cannot be tracked or shared with third-parties. Yet, as the global mobile gaming industry looks to hit more than $46 billion in revenue this year – a large portion of which comes from children – it’s no wonder that companies are looking for ways around COPPA and into the advertising budgets of third party marketers and advertisers.

Is Nothing Sacred Anymore?

If a law is in place to protect our kids then it is pretty safe to assume it is being followed, right? Well, this doesn’t seem to be the case when it comes to apps, as major companies like Disney and games and applications in the Google Play and App stores are being found to have broken the rules set out by the COPPA and are in fact exploiting our children’s online behavior.

As parents, we trust that something meant for a child is safe to use and that when we see our daughter virtual swimming with Ariel or our son charming Belle as the Beast that they are in a safe zone. That they are free to be kids playing and not lab rats in some money-making advertising experiment. It seems like common sense, but as corporations continue to find every last crevice to fill with ads and product promotion, it’s our job to be aware of the potential dangers involved in allowing our children to play online or with downloadable technology.

Who Are The Culprits?

The Walt Disney Company is being sued for allegedly violating the COPPA as a federal class action lawsuit claims that 42 of Disney’s apps collect personal data from kids and give advertisers the information without parental consent. Three software companies – Upsight, Unity, and Kochava – are also named in the lawsuit as being part of the chain which has embedded tracking software and sends children’s’ information and online habits to interested parties.

Disney sued for allegedly spying on children through 42 gaming apps https://t.co/qPw5lugxcn pic.twitter.com/z3IE1cZTB3

— The Verge (@verge) August 10, 2017

And this isn’t the first time America’s beloved media conglomerate has come under fire for COPPA violations – Disney had to pay $3 million when one of its subsidiaries, Playdom, was found guilty of registering ‘1.2 million users, most of them children, for online games.’ The company then collected masses of information — including age, email addresses, names, IM names and locations — and shared it illegally with third-party contacts.

Other culprits include over half of Google Play’s apps that target kids under the age of 13, according to recent research conducted by The Washington Post. Of the 5,000+ apps tested, the new source found that the majority of them did not protect kids’ data – which is required by the COPPA. In fact, The Washington Post found that most apps send regular updates to advertisers with 90% actually ‘enabling long-term tracking.’

Combined, this data tells us that companies like our favorite Mouseketeer will continue to find loopholes and ways to interpret the laws to benefit their profit-focused agendas. As Disney stated in response to the lawsuit, “Disney has a robust COPPA compliance program, and we maintain strict data collection and use policies for Disney apps created for children and families. The complaint is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of COPPA principles, and we look forward to defending this action in court.”

Yikes, we would not be looking forward to going up against Disney in court!

What Can We Do To Protect Our Kids?

We now know that this issue is ongoing, has repeat offenders and will likely be something that continues to perpetuate every aspect of our lives. Let’s face it – we all know Big Brother is watching somewhere. So, let’s make sure we at least are aware of potential online dangers and protect our kids the best we can!

Talk to your kids. Engage with your children regarding online safety and appropriate behavior. Discuss what is acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to giving out information – even when registering for their favorite game. Think of an application as a stranger. Do we talk to strangers? No. Do we give strangers our name, email address, phone number, first born child, life’s savings, etc? No!

Download Monitoring Software. We know, it sounds like child monitoring software is exactly what Disney or these other companies are using to target your kids. But, IT’S NOT THE SAME! Software like FlexiSPY is a powerful tool that can help you as a parent be able to stand up against major corporations of the world and keep your kids safe. FlexiSPY for Android or iPhone, as well as FlexiSPY for computers, gives you the ability to see which applications your child has downloaded and how they use them. This means if you see your child has downloaded one of Disney’s data-sending apps, you can immediately check its privacy settings and update them to keep personal data protected.

We have a unique Application Screenshot feature which actually takes snapshots of an app while it’s in use, so you can be sure that your child is making smart decisions. Our Keylogger feature lets you see what information has been typed into an application – i.e. personal information – so that you’re able to speak with your child directly about how to make better decisions and to update the app to keep his or her privacy safe. Additional features like IM monitoring give you peace of mind that your children are staying children and chatting with friends about the best way to beat the next level – not with someone who could potentially endanger them.

Check in regularly. This may be the most important step. Let your kids know you are here, interested in what they are doing and always available to answer questions they have. By being regularly involved in your child’s online activity, he or she will be more aware of their actions and more likely to speak up if they come across something you have discussed. And for those kids who just don’t like to chat, child monitoring software can help be their voice!

For a full list of the Disney apps allegedly spying on your kids, read here.

For a full list of apps tested by The Washington Post visit their site AppCensus.

To get your copy of FlexiSPY, visit www.flexispy.com, and start protecting your children today!

FlexiSPY – the world’s most powerful monitoring software – makes it easy to record calls on the most popular VoIP applications. That means YOU can now record calls made on programs like Skype, Viber, LINE, Whatsapp, Facebook and more! This is the perfect tool for business owners who need to keep track of how their employees are handling confidential information and for parents concerned about their child’s social interactions or decision-making.

What is a VoIP call?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – and VoIP calls are regular calls between two people that take place over the internet rather than a landline. And with the advent of social media and instant messaging applications, VoIP calls are quickly replacing traditional phone calls around the world.

Who can record VoIP calls?

Anyone with an internet connection! FlexiSPY Extreme is available for both iPhone and Android users and allows you to record calls on the world’s most popular VoIP applications, including Skype, Viber, LINE, Whatsapp, Facbook, WeChat, Google Hangouts and many more!

How does it work?

Easy! Just like with other FlexiSPY features, we keep you in mind and work to ensure it’s as easy-to-use as possible. As soon as the target phone uses any of the many supported programs to make or receive calls, then these calls will be automatically recorded and uploaded to your personal web portal. Here you’ll be able to listen to or to download the recording later for offline listening.

Here are 3 easy steps for recording a VoIP call:

1. First, download Flexispy to a rooted Android or jailbroken iPhone
2. Next, the target will make a call using Skype, Viber, Whatsapp or one of many other supported programs
3. Then, visit your online portal and listen to or download the recording from your FlexiSPY
4. You can even listen to the files directly from your phone with our brand new mobile viewer application, FlexiVIEW!

Why do I need to record a VoiP call?

This feature is perfect for anyone who uses an iPhone or an Android and spends a lot of time on VoIP applications. Recording these calls is extremely useful for parents and employers who are responsible for other individuals, as well as the overall well-being of their families or businesses.

Employers

Insider threats, security breaches and data theft happen every day – and most employers have no idea until it’s too late. FlexiSPY gives you the power to know if something is happening before it goes too far and allows you step in to rectify a potentially dangerous and costly situation for your business.

By recording the VoIP calls of employees using company phones or machines, you will be able to know as soon as something out of the ordinary takes place. In addition, if employees know they are being monitored, they will be more productive and less likely to follow through with any negative actions toward the company. FlexiSPY helps employees understand the value of their jobs and the information they deal with on a daily basis.

VoIP call recording can also be used for recording important business phone calls, interviews with potential job candidates and even quality control training!

Parents

Did you know that 80% of kids and teens check their phones hourly? Are you aware of who they are speaking to or what they are talking about? Now, this is not to say that all kids are up to no good, but rather, it’s easy for kids to get caught up into peer pressure or negative situations. And with technology advancing and kids spending so much time on their phones, it’s really impossible for parents to be watching ALL the time. Nor, should they have to – as trust is a very important part of a child’s development.

FlexiSPY, however, gives parents a tool to ensure their children are safe and making responsible decisions when using instant messenger and VoIP applications like Skype, Viber, WeChat, LINE, etc. Think of it as technological babysitter – someone who is there in case anything looks suspicious. We do not encourage parents to spy on everything word that is being said, but knowing whether or not your daughter is really going to her friend’s house after she’s lied before or whether your son is really ‘studying.’ Odds are your kids are telling the truth, but FlexiSPY lets you be there for those times that may push the boundaries a bit too far.

VoIP call recording is growing in popularity by the day. Now is the time to protect your family or business – or both! – and invest in monitoring software. FlexiSPY gives you more features – with more being developed every day – to make sure you are always ready to take on the next big issue in your life. For more information on VoIP calls and how FlexiSPY can help you, visit www.flexispy.com.

Did you know that nearly 40% of kids and teens say they have been cyberbullied? Or that only 20% of incidents are ever reported to the authorities? Did you know that 20% of kids who are cyberbullied have suicidal thoughts? Neither do most parents. And with suicide rates up 50% for 10-14 year olds alone in the last 30 years, it’s time for parents to start paying closer attention to their children’s online behavior.

Cyberbullying is when someone repeatedly threatens, harasses, mistreats, or makes fun of another person (on purpose) online or while using cell phones or other electronic devices. It’s a growing epidemic that is leading to increased depression and suicide in our youth. By understanding what it is and how to prevent it, society can bring an end to online bullying and give our children a chance to live the lives they deserve.

Here are 8 signs that your children may be victims of cyberbullying:

Changes in how they use their technology: As parents, you can gauge how often your kids are playing on their phones, tablets or computers. Raise your hand if you’ve even had to restrict online time! So, when you find your daughter holed up in her room reading her Chemistry book rather than chatting on Facebook after dinner, she may be sending you a signal. Changes in technology usage – whether it be a lot of phone time to a little or vice versa – are a big indicator that your child is experiencing online bullying. They may be afraid to see what’s being written about them on social media or they may feel a need to constantly defend themselves to their peers. Regardless, if you notice a major in change, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask if everything is okay. Only 1 in 10 kids will actually tell their parents about cyberbullying, so it’s up to you to start the conversation in most cases.

Anxiousness when receiving a text, email or chat alert: If the *ding* of a message once made your son jump for joy in hopes that the girl he liked responded to his post now makes him jump and run for the hills – he may be cyberbullied. Social media actually has an addictive nature – giving people the urge to check it on more-than-regular basis. So, if your child suddenly looks stressed and doesn’t automatically reach for the phone, there could be an underlying problem.

Being secretive about their online activity: While kids aren’t always the most open about discussing their private lives, most parents would agree that they find it hard to resist sharing some juicy gossip or new-fangled device they came across online. Who’s ever gotten the ‘Mom, isn’t this cool? Man, my birthday is right around the corner’ *cough cough* Well, if your son or daughter is now nervous when you come around their phone or quickly closes the webpage they were visiting, it may be an indicator of problems online. Whether it turns out to be bullying or some inappropriate content, it’s important that your children understand that – while you do respect their privacy – you also worry about their well-being and will be checking in from time to time.

Mood swings: Kids are moody. They’re angsty. Their emotions dominate most of what they do in life. However, there are times when the moodiness turns into their regular demeanor and it’s these red flags that you should be aware of. Prolonged periods of anger, sadness or withdrawal are definite signals that something is wrong. Try your best not to feed into the emotion, but rather calmly address the change and see if you can dig out the root of the problem. You never know who could be causing these problems – and if it’s a cyberbully it’s best to catch the issue early on.

Withdrawal from school and social activities: Kids are moody, but they’re also social. And when their social lives become dormant – or they actually resist doing anything with friends, sports or extracurriculars – you should take notice. Yes, teens are lazy and the thought of practicing for soccer for two hours after school may sound like the most painful thing on Earth. However, missing soccer practice, piano, their best friend’s birthday party, the school dance which they went to last year – it makes you wonder what could be wrong. It is very possible that your child has social anxiety over seeing certain people or are worried that if they attend any event that their cyberbullies will turn into real life bullies, which is something that – to them – is far worse than missing out on their favorite activities.

Poor performance at school: Schoolwork can be a clear indicator of unhappiness in a child or teen. We engrain the importance of turning in homework and getting good grades, so if you learn that your daughter is no longer turning in her assignments or that your son if failing all of his subjects – it’s time to ask what’s wrong. No longer caring about school or actually purposefully doing wrong are often cries for help as your children are looking for anyway to get someone’s attention. With teen suicide rates on the rise, any indication that your child is unhappy is cause for further investigation. If you are able to find the root of the problem and stop it – especially if it’s cyberbullying – you are giving your child hope that things will get better and that he or she has a bright future ahead.

Blocking certain accounts from social media or email: On the surface you may not know who exactly your child is talking to online. However, with tools like parental control software, you can actually see for yourself. If you notice that your son is blocking friends or classmates on their accounts, this could be a sign that he is being targeted by these peers. Software, such as FlexiSPY, give you the ability to step in and address a problem like online bullying head on before it gets too heavy for your child to handle. At first your child may be upset that you involved yourself, but when he or she realizes that your interference actually stopped the problem they will surely thank you in the longterm.

Deleting social media accounts: Social media – Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat – is the most common method of communication amongst children, teens and young adults. It’s where they get their news and gossip. It’s where they express themselves and develop their identity. So, if your child suddenly deletes his or her account, you can be fairly certain that someone has made them feel uncomfortable or unsafe online. Again, Mom and Dad, don’t be afraid to ask why. Don’t be afraid to ruffle some feathers. Even if your child doesn’t speak about it with you right away, they know you are there and aware of the problem. And that may be exactly what they need to have the courage to speak up.

Cyberbullying is a real issue in today’s society and one that truly affects our children and teens – and in many cases adults too! It’s our duty to protect our children and sometimes that means toeing the line between parent and friend. Knowing the signs of cyberbullying gives us the upperhand and in a truly viscious battle that is sadly taking the lives of many of our youth – far before their time. Don’t be afraid to intervene. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. And don’t be afraid to get some extra help when your son or daughter just won’t open up. Cyberbullying can be traumatizing and embarrassing, so be gently with your children when bringing it up. Tools like FlexiSPY make it easy for your to see exactly your child is talking to, what they are discussing and if you need to take action to protect him or her from the dangers of suicide or online abuse. We are here to help, 24/7 in fact, so don’t be afraid to contact us and bring peace of mind to your family. We understand that the digital age is hard. So, let us do the hard stuff.

For more information on how to get your copy of FlexiSPY, visit www.flexispy.com today!

A parent’s greatest fear is losing his or her child, and unfortunately this fear is becoming a reality far more often than it should. The culprit? Suicide. The solution? Well, there isn’t one answer, but there are signs you can watch for, steps you can take and tools you can implement to protect your children from making the most drastic — and last — decision of their lives. Mom, Dad, meet parental control software. It’s here and it can save your child’s life.

According to research conducted by the American Association of Suicidology, national suicide rates are the highest they’ve been in nearly 30 years — with three times more teens dying by suicide now than 60 years ago. This epidemic can no longer be ignored and – with the recent focus on suicide in the media and through the spread of twisted social media ‘games’ like the blue whale challenge — it’s time we take measures to reclaim our youth.

Here are 4 steps for preventing youth suicide:

1. Know the Warning Signs

While there is no key indicator of suicide — it varies with each individual — there are certain signs that may provide a warning to family and friends that someone needs help. These include mood swings, withdrawal from social situations, unstable sleep patterns, talking about feeling lonely or a burden and drug and alcohol use.

Now, at first glance these all sound pretty similar to a typical pre-teen or teenager. You know angsty, emotional, rebellious, never wants to be around the family. But that’s exactly why it’s so important to check in and keep a close eye on your children — because their cries for help may not be loud.

Remember: it’s hard enough for a teen to share their feelings with their parents, let alone those feelings. That’s where parental monitoring software can help be your eyes and ears by allowing you to monitor your child’s social media, internet, phone call and texting behavior to see whether he or she is just being a moody teen or if they are grasping for a helping hand.

2. Educate Yourself

As parents, we will probably never fully understand our kids. But we can at least try to understand the world we share — and the external factors which impact them.

The Blue Whale Challenge & Social Media

As mentioned in a previous blog post, the blue whale challenge is an online game whereby administrators target troubled youth and engage them in a series of tasks that ultimately ends in suicide. Originating in Russia, this social media phenomenon has recently spread to other countries around the world — with two teen suicides in the US being linked to the blue whale challenge since May.

Schools around the country are warning parents of the game and asking them to be open to conversations should their children speak about the blue whale challenge. Parents are also urged to watch for signs their children may be involved.  Parental control software gives you the ability to target specific key words (like ‘blue whale’) and receive notifications when your child or whomever they are speaking with uses them. Imagine being able to step in at the first sign of danger or risky behavior.

Suicide Is Contagious

We know, it surprised us to learn this too. Recent medical research has concluded that, “Exposure to suicide is pervasive and occurs beyond family.” This means that those exposed to suicide — whether directly through a friend or family or indirectly via social media or another outlet — are more likely to have suicidal thoughts.

In a recent Newsweek article, research found that one suicide now affects roughly 135 people — a third of them being seriously impacted by it — as compared to about 6 people in the past. We have technology and social media to thank for this with Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, noting teens see the attention garnered by the deceased and in turn feel a desire to also be part of this “romanticized death.”

Other risk factors that can influence suicide include depression, other suicide in the family, financial or personal loss and past abuse or trauma, among others.

3. Have A Conversation

Now that you know what to look for — as well as the additional risk factors that can contribute to death by suicide  — you are more prepared to have a dialogue with your children. Some experts recommend not bringing suicide up, as it may encourage them to seek out more information. Still, others think it’s important to let keep open communication with your kids about pertinent topics like this.

However you decide to do it — whether it be asking your children directly if they have heard of the blue whale challenge or indirectly by just asking if they are okay on a regular basis — know that your words and your interest in your child could be the difference in what decision he or she makes.

4. Use Parental Monitoring Software

Kids and teens don’t always want to talk and parents oftentimes don’t want to overstep their boundaries — because who wants a grumpy teen, right? So, let parental control software be an added layer of security for those times when you want to know, but you don’t know how to ask. Check in from time to time — maybe you’ll be happily surprised that nothing is going on. Or maybe you’ll be able to step in before it’s too late.

For more information on how to download the most powerful parental monitoring software on the market, click HERE.

The Time Is Now

We live in a world centered around technology. A world where people like the Russian blue whale challenge administrators are able to prey on the weak.  A world where people we have never met can cause us to make the biggest mistake of our lives.

Parents, we get it — you don’t want your kids to hate you for checking up on their social media or texting habits. And you don’t want them to shut you out because you’re prying. However, you also don’t want to wake up one morning — and every morning thereafter — to find your son or daughter has died by suicide knowing you could have prevented it. So why not let parental control software walk that fine line between invading your child’s privacy and saving their life.

Get FlexiSPY — the world’s most powerful monitoring software — HERE.

If you or someone you know is displaying suicidal behavior, don’t wait. Contact your local suicide hotline NOW!

Our children are the first generation of digital natives. The first to not remember life without technology, social media, WIFI, mobile phones or computers. Heck, some don’t even know what a CD is, let alone a cassette or vinyl?! And while society’s foray into the futuristic world of robots and Bluetooth is seemingly right on track with what we hoped to achieve, it’s become obvious we didn’t plan for the negative effects that come along with it – especially with regard to online safety for kids.

Here are 11 tips to help keep your children safe from digital backlash:

1) Discuss Online Safety

The internet is an amazing resource for information, learning and fun, but with all that content and all those people it’s important to discuss online safety for kids:

• Don’t give out personal information.
• Establish which websites are okay and which are off limits.
• Don’t talk to strangers or accept their friend requests.
• If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or bullied, say something immediately.

2) Sign a Social Media Contract

Think of this as your family’s Digital Constitution. Involve your children in the discussion and create a social media contract together. After all, they are the tech and social media experts. Talk about what pressures they feel and what negative effects too much social media time can have on their everyday lives. Let them set their own consequences if they break the rules. Kids will feel more invested as they are responsible for setting the guidelines. Stick to the contract, but leave room for amendments as your children get older or prove they can make smart decisions about online safety.

3) Establish Screen-Free Zones

It seems that no place is safe from electronics these days, but you can change that. Set clear boundaries with your children about where they can and cannot use their mobiles, computers or tablets. Having these screen-free zones allows you to engage with your children and encourages them to break free from their devices. Some suggestions:

• At the dinner table: You don’t need to answer that text – instead, talk about friends, homework or family issues.
• In the car: Your bestie will still talk to you when you see her in five minutes at school, honey. Use car time to chat about school, play Carpool Karaoke or enjoy the view.
• In the bedroom at night: Not only does a screen’s light trigger your brain to stay awake, but the anxiety of waiting for a social media post or comment is causing some people to wake up in the middle of the night to check in.

But Moooooooom. It’s my phone! It’s my bedroom! Stay strong. Of course, you’ll be met with resistance at first, but over time it will become habit and you’ll be happy knowing that family time is still sacred – at least in some places.

4) Educate Yourself

Admit it. Your kids are way more tech savvy than you. This is all the more reason to take time to understand how they are using the internet and which applications are most popular. No, you don’t have to download Tinder or Snapchat, but ask your children to show you how they work. At least you’ll be able to have informed discussions about responsible usage and online safety. Even better, see if you can find an application that the whole family can use together. Set up a group chat on WhatsApp and keep a constant conversation going.

5) Install Parental Monitoring Software

You can’t be everywhere all the time – nor should you be. It’s important for kids to have their space and to understand that you trust them. It’s also important to have tools in place to ensure they are safe, because they aren’t always looking to talk about personal matters, Mom and Dad. Parental monitoring software, like FlexiSPY, can help be your eyes and ears when you aren’t there.

Tell your children you’re installing the software. Receive alerts when certain words are used, inappropriate websites are visited or apps meant for adults are downloaded. You’re not invading their privacy. You’re not reading their conversations. You’re simply setting the expectation that they need to make healthy decisions, practice online safety and avoid dangerous situations.

6) Monitor Social Media Posts

Does a stranger really need to see your teenage daughter and her friends at the beach? Is it necessary that the world knows your son is at the mall? Today, social media and teens are synonymous. Ask to see their accounts. See what they are posting and who they are talking to and hanging out with. Encourage your kids to be kids – be silly, take pictures, have fun! But also explain that what’s on the internet lasts forever and come to an agreement about what is appropriate and inappropriate to post.

7) Check Privacy Settings

Look through browser and application privacy settings and disable any unnecessary tracking features and cookies that may affect online safety. Set your child’s profile to private and ensure only friends and family can see what they are posting. Explain again that it’s important to be themselves online, but that it’s not necessary for strangers to also know so much about them.

8) Practice What You Preach

That’s right parents, it’s time to put down our own phones and live in the moment. Set a positive example and hold yourself to the same standards as your children. Honor the screen-free zones, seek out tech-free activities and make an effort to be fully present during family time. Your kids will see you spending less time online and will follow suit.

9) Set Time Limits

Remember the days when our parents limited us to 2 hours of TV time a day? This doesn’t have to change simply because our devices are portable. Before mobiles reached the masses, kids happily spent time away from technology. Set tech-time limits for your children and enforce them. But moooooooommmmmm… BUT nothing. You’re the parent and you make the rules.

10) No Underage Access

Did you know that social media sites have age restrictions? Most applications are for those 13+, while some require users to be older – Whatsapp (16+), Tinder (18+), YouTube (certain videos are 18+). Did you also know that most sites don’t verify if the user is actually 13+? This is where setting those boundaries is so important in deterring young ones from logging on to sites not meant for them. Use parental monitoring software to verify that your kids are being responsible and following the rules for online safety that you set together.

11) Don’t Judge Their Mistakes

We need to set examples for our children, but we also need to know when to take off our mommy and daddy hats and make them feel safe and not judged. Kids will make mistakes. We made them, their kids will make them. It’s life. One of the worst things we can do as parents is make our kids feel like they can’t talk to us. Let them know that no matter what, we will listen. Don’t say, ‘I told you so.’ Say, ‘Honey, I’m sorry this happened. Let’s look at what we can do differently next time.’ The moment they stop communicating is the moment we close the door on knowing what they are actually up to. Trust is gone and silence becomes our lingua franca.

Youth have access to more information and are more connected than ever before. And while this is contributing to a global society, broadening horizons and sharing cultures, it’s also exposing our kids to cyberbullies, content way too mature for their age and, unfortunately, predators. So, let’s take a step back from our own tech-filled lives and look at how we can support our children in balancing their real lives from their virtual ones. Hopefully, we can set a strong example of online safety and navigate this digital wasteland together.

As teen suicide rates erupt in Russia, authorities look to online ‘death groups’ as prime suspects. Their alleged platform? A disturbing social media game called the Blue Whale Challenge. It’s time to ask what we can do to ensure our teens are safe.

It seems unfathomable that something like this could exist. Something so dark. So heinous. It’s like a modern day Jack the Ripper – a faceless killer wreaking havoc on the weak – only now, Jack is a ‘curator’, his weapon a social media game and his victim…our fragile youth.

What is the Blue Whale Challenge?

In some depraved way, it’s a game. And it’s quite simple really:

1. Seek out a curator, or mentor – a member of a death group or online community that convince teens to take their own lives who guides you through the Blue Whale Challenge
2. Agree to complete every task the curator assigns – NO backing out or they will come for you
3. Oh, and one more minor detail – acknowledge that to win, you must die.

That’s right. After 50 days of acquiescing every demand, including disrupting your sleep schedule and self-mutilation, your curator will tell you to kill yourself. And so far, more than 130 Russian teens have done just that, while numerous other teens around the world have been saved before it was too late.

Reported by RT last year, authorities and the media have since been investigating whether the Blue Whale Challenge is in fact being played outright or if it’s an urban legend – either way, something is happening and we need to make it stop.

Why are teens playing?

Pressure is greater than ever. Gone are the days when bullies were left at the schoolyard and the image of perfection was limited to the latest magazine covers at the supermarket. Now, in our tech-obsessed society, we are continuously exposed to – no bombarded with – an endless barrage of flawless celebrities, baseless sub-truths and unrealistic goals. Cyberbullying follows us home. Social media means our lives are what we let people perceive. And when you’ve never known life without this steady flow of warped reality, the surreal is just plain real.

It’s easy to feel left out. Numb. Stranded. Like the blue whales who beach themselves to die. So, when someone gives you a chance to feel a rush, to feel a sense of belonging, to feel something, what have you got to lose? The World Health Organization reports suicide as the “second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally,” and with youth suicide the fastest growing segment of this demographic, it’s easy to start connecting the dots.

It’s time for a conversation

Once taboo, youth suicide – especially in relation to the dangers of social media, peer pressure and depression – is begging to be heard. Pop culture has started the conversation with films like Lionsgate’s Nerve or series like Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. And for the first time, society is giving a voice to those without.

Did you know hospitalization of youth with suicidal intentions has doubled in the last ten years? It’s up to us to keep the conversation going. Look for signs of the Blue Whale Challenge – pictures of blue whales, depressed posts or images, specific hashtags (#bluewhale, #bluewhalechallenge, #curatorfindme, #f57, #f58, #I_Am_Blue_Whale)  – and voice your concerns.

Students, speak up if you see changes in your peers or come across pro-suicide groups. Parents, communicate with your children.

And while it’s impossible to know what someone is doing or thinking at all times, there are tools to make it easier. FlexiSPY’s monitoring software gives you peace of mind knowing that your children are making the right decisions online and allows you to step in at the first sign of trouble or inappropriate interactions.

Use FlexiSPY as a means of showing your teen you trust them. You’re not spying or keeping them hooked to your fishing line. But you are instead protecting against those looking to catch them in their own sinister nets.

Most of us will probably never understand why others choose to prey so viciously on the vulnerable, but we can take steps to prevent it. Have the conversation with your teens about the Blue Whale Challenge. Let them know they are never alone, because really, we are all swimming together in a deep blue sea. And it’s our duty to make sure that everyone – even the blue whale – stays in the water.