Parents have been warned about a 'suicide game' linked to the death of 130 teenagers in Russia amid reports that it has made its way to the UK.
The game encourages youngsters to complete a series of challenges over 50 days, ranging from waking up in the night to cutting themselves.
On the final day of the sick challenge, they are then instructed by their 'masters' to commit suicide.
The social media 'game' is being investigated by police in Russia in relation to dozens of teenage suicides, and now police in Britain are reaching out to schools.
The headteacher of Woodlands School in Basildon reached out to parents in a letter seen by Essex Live.
It read: 'We have discovered a game through the police that we feel you should be aware of.
‘It is called The Blue Whale Game and is played via many social media platforms. Players are given a master who controls them for 50 days and each day they are given a task to complete.
The deaths of Yulia Konstantinova, 15, pictured left, and Veronika Volkova, 16, right, were connected to the challenge in Russia
'On the 50th day the masters behind the game instruct the young people to commit suicide and sadly across the world some have done this.'
Teenagers are urged to use a knife or razor to make the shape of a whale on their wrist or leg, say Russian reports.
They are also urged to watch horror movies all day, and to wake themselves at 4.20am.
