Warning: This story is graphic.
There's a dangerous online trend targeting teenagers. It's the "Blue Whale Challenge,” the disturbing game being blamed for dozens of teen suicides in Russia and Europe.
The 50-day game asks teens to complete a series of dangerous challenges, from watching horror movies on loop to self-harming.
The last task is to commit suicide. So far, there have been a few reported cases of teens playing the game in the United States, but none in North Carolina.
Experts say the kids crying out for help on social media are the ones most likely to fall victim to the challenge.
“If parents were more involved in their child's virtual world, I call it, and monitoring their child or having a lot more conversations with their child on these topics - I think they'd definitely see the signs quicker than they do now,” said Susan Wind of Parents Know More
If you're having suicidal thoughts or know someone who is, you can call the national suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.