What is this dangerous YouTube gaming video that caused two children from Meerut to run away from home?

A web series titled *Pritam and Pedro* has recently garnered significant attention. Audiences greatly appreciated this series, which centers on the theme of cybercrime. In the show, a minister's son runs away from home and goes into hiding because of a game. Now, a similar game has once again become a topic of discussion. According to reports, two children—aged 11 and 7—from Hastinapur, Meerut, ran away from home for 24 hours after watching a gaming video on YouTube. They had planned to hide in a secret location for that duration.

**Setting Themselves a Task After Watching a YouTube Video**

Fortunately, the police recovered both children safely after a search lasting about two hours. When the children suddenly went missing, their family began searching the neighborhood and contacting relatives. When the children could not be found, the police were informed. According to local police, the children had watched a gaming-related video on YouTube. Inspired by the video, they decided to take on a similar challenge themselves.

The two children had set up a temporary hideout in a secluded spot near a farmhouse. They planned to spend 24 hours hiding there.
In the game shown in the video, participants create a secret hideout and remain hidden there for 24 hours while following specific rules. The children attempted to replicate this challenge in their own way.

**Beware of Tasks Assigned in Online Games**

The children had watched a "Secret House" gaming video on YouTube. This has once again raised concerns regarding children's safety, particularly because children may go to extreme lengths to complete tasks assigned in online games. If you have young children at home, you need to be vigilant about this. Such games can prevent children from thinking through the consequences of their actions, potentially leading to serious trouble.

It is worth recalling a recent report from Ghaziabad, where three sisters took their own lives after being influenced by the "Korean Lover" game. Similar tasks were assigned in that game as well. Going back a bit further, there was significant discussion surrounding the 'Blue Whale Challenge,' which targeted children by assigning them various tasks, with the final one being self-harm. This incident in Meerut has once again compelled people to reflect on the issue.

However, in the Meerut case, it is clear that the children were not actually playing a game themselves; instead, they began attempting similar tasks after watching videos by a game streamer. It is possible that the streamer was playing a specific game or had performed such a task on their own initiative, and the children, out of naivety, started imitating them. Given this, it is crucial to keep a close watch on your child's online activities.

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