The dangerous ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ explained

RUSSIA — An internet suicide game dubbed the blue whale challenge is causing major concern after several American teens reportedly killed themselves after taking part in it.

The trend reportedly originated on Russian social media site VK. Novaya Gazeta reports that 130 Russian children killed themselves between 2015 and 2016.

Russian national Philipp Budeikin claims to have invented the game, reported the Metro.

The 21-year-old ex-psychology student is under investigation by Russian authorities for encouraging the death of up to 17 teenage girls through the game.

He told police he wanted to “cleanse society” of “biological waste”, saying players were “people who were happy to die”.