Parents have been warned over a “sick” new game trending on Facebook that dares children to go missing for up to 48 hours.
Young people who participate in the 48-Hour Challenge receive points “for every social media mention while they’re missing”, The Independent reports, so “frantic friends and family who post appeals to find them” are viewed as a boon.
The challenge is inspired by the 72-hour Game that swept Europe a few years ago, says The Sun. That disturbing viral trend saw youngsters dared “to disappear for 24, 48 or even 72 hours”.
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One mother, whose child recently disappeared for 55 hours after signing up for new game, told Belfast Live: “This is a competition and it’s sick. The anxiety it left our family in is unspeakable.”
She told the website: “I was terrified they were dead or would be raped, trafficked or killed. But these kids just think it’s funny. There was not even a moment of remorse when my child was taken into police custody and when the police brought my child home, I could see posts of selfies from the police car.”
Social media giants have seen a surge in reckless challenges in recent years, some of which have had lethal consequences.
Last month the Blue Whale suicide game made headlines after spreading on social media in Russia and across Europe, including the UK, says International Business Times. It has been “linked with over 100 deaths of children”.
The game is run by a group of anonymous “Masters” who encourage “participants to compete in a disturbing series of challenges over the course of 50 days”, the website says.
According to The Sun, teens are instructed “to commit suicide” on the 50th day of the challenge.
