Reaction regarding the Blue Whale game and how to protect children from such risks

It has been two months since Blue Whale became part of the discussion in our regular staff meetings. Every week we discuss whether we should talk about this game in class and open a debate with the children or not! And believe me, it was not easy to make the decision to do such a thing until now.

The reason is the possible encouragement of curiosity to research and find out what this game is, taking into account the sensitive age of the children and their need to explore forbidden things, which in this case through information technology are made very easily accessible. However, there are many discussions that this game might also be another fake news!

But now, considering that the news about this game spread very quickly in Kosovo through the attention it received from the media, it is necessary to hold a special educational hour with all the students of Shkolla Digjitale about the possible risks from these games.

Considering that Shkolla Digjitale educates more than 600 children in information technology, during the coming week, more specifically on Monday and Tuesday, all the instructors of the school will hold a special educational hour where the risk from this game as well as from online presence will be treated with high seriousness, also the ways how to react and protect ourselves. We suggest that all schools do such a thing.

However, special emphasis in addressing these topics is certainly on parents. Blue Whale is just one of the risks that has become famous now, but all other risks that affect the mental health of children during online presence should not be neglected.

In order to help a little in this direction, we are listing some tips for parents that we think are essential to apply with young children who own smartphones and have access to the internet.

• Parents should continuously analyze their children's profiles on social networks, especially Facebook and Instagram. "I don't know how it's possible for girls aged 9 to 15 to have photos with provocative clothing and looks that don't belong to their age at all, and boys with profile photos of weapons and money"! • They should analyze their children's online circle, understand who they are connected to on social networks, and not allow connections with unknown people. Maintain continuous and as open communication as possible with their children. • Give children the necessary freedom and space to express themselves and share their worries with the deepest sincerity. Don't just be the advisor and critic! • Limit and control their children's online presence. • Try to understand the worries of children that are related to the time we live in and not make comparisons with their own childhood. • Continuously educate themselves about digital trends and discuss them with children, since that is the part where children are most connected. • Parents should understand that the social pressure children face from social networks is many times greater than the social pressure for a status in society that they had in their time. This kind of pressure directly affects children's mental health, such as complexes or depression. It is extremely important to talk about such topics openly in the family environment. • It is very important to discuss how dangerous it is to talk to anonymous people online. It should be noted that a person hiding behind the screen in most cases does not have good intentions. It should be made known that allowing a conversation with anonymous people endangers not only the interlocutor but also other family members. • Special care should be taken in sharing private information. Children should understand that by posting a Check-in or a photo they can reveal a lot about family assets and current presence, which can be easily misused by someone.

Our mission is to educate children in the effective use of information technology. However, parental cooperation in this regard is essential.

With Respect, The Management of Shkolla Digjitale