After a tragic case in Ghaziabad, fears resurface over online games and viral challenges that may expose children to serious physical and psychological harm.
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| Recurring tragedies linked to online games highlight how unchecked digital exposure and viral challenges can turn smartphones into hidden dangers for children. Image: CH |
Games Desk — February 10, 2026:
The tragic deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad have once again pushed online games and digital challenges into the spotlight, reviving long-standing fears about children’s safety in an increasingly connected world. While investigators have pointed to multiple factors behind the incident, renewed attention on the so-called Korean “Love Game” has reignited parental anxiety over whether children are being drawn into hidden and potentially deadly online traps.
This is not the first time such fears have surfaced. A decade ago, Russia’s “Blue Whale” game triggered global alarm after reports linked it to teenage suicides. Since then, similar narratives have emerged periodically, each time following a tragic event. What has changed is the digital environment itself. Today, smartphones reach children at younger ages, data access is cheaper, and online games and challenges spread faster than ever—often beyond the awareness of parents or guardians.
The dangers linked to these games and challenges vary widely. Some, such as the Blue Whale phenomenon, are alleged to rely on psychological manipulation, gradually escalating dares that normalize self-harm and isolation. Others are not structured games at all but viral trends, including the “Blackout Challenge” or “Chroming,” in which children inhale toxic substances or deprive themselves of oxygen for online attention. These activities carry immediate physical risks, ranging from brain damage to sudden death.
Even mainstream horror-themed games like Granny or Evil Nun raise concerns among mental health experts. While not inherently fatal, prolonged exposure to fear-driven gameplay can intensify anxiety, disrupt sleep, and negatively affect emotional development in younger children. Platforms such as Roblox, which host a wide variety of user-generated content, highlight another challenge: without strict age controls and active supervision, children may encounter disturbing or inappropriate material despite the platform’s popularity and legitimacy.
Experts caution, however, against viewing every tragedy through the lens of secret “death games.” Overstating their role can create moral panic and distract from deeper issues such as depression, academic pressure, family stress, or lack of mental health support. Children already vulnerable offline are often the same ones most susceptible to harmful online content, whether it comes in the form of a game, a challenge, or peer pressure amplified by social media.
The recurring pattern points to a broader gap in digital literacy and parental engagement. Children are navigating online spaces designed to reward secrecy, shock, and virality, while many adults struggle to understand the platforms their children use daily. Calls for parental awareness are growing louder—not as a demand for constant surveillance, but for informed involvement, open conversations, and early recognition of behavioral changes.
As online games and social media continue to blur into everyday life, the risks facing children are unlikely to disappear. The challenge for parents, platforms, and policymakers alike is whether action will remain reactive—arriving only after tragedy—or evolve into proactive safeguards that reflect the realities of childhood in the digital age.