Egypt debates how to block dangerous viral games
Following claims that the suicide of an Egyptian politician’s son was due to the "Blue Whale Challenge," Egyptians are seeking tighter restrictions on these types of online games.
CAIRO — Egyptians are debating a blanket ban on risky online games following the suicide of an Egyptian politician’s 18-year-old son, who is reportedly one of the latest victims of the dangerous online game "Blue Whale Challenge."
Ahmed Badawi, a member of the parliamentary Communication and Information Technology Committee, told Al-Monitor that he made an urgent statement to parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal on some dangerous online games — such as Blue Whale Challenge, Bloody Mary and Charlie Charlie Challenge — that have gone viral in recent years and attracted the attention of children and teenagers, pushing them to use violence and commit murder and suicide. These three games involve acts that can quickly turn into mass hysteria, panic, violence, self-injury or even suicide.
Badawi said that several other deputies, namely Tariq al-Khawly and Said Taima, also support his demand for banning dangerous online games. “Such games threaten the Egyptian national security by targeting youths who represent the future of Egypt,” he said.
The calls in parliament follow the death of the son of former parliamentarian Hamdy El-Fakharany and the sympathy and outrage many Egyptians felt.
