Meerut, Uttar Pradesh: Two children aged 11 and 7 reportedly left their home in Hastinapur after watching a YouTube video featuring a ‘Secret House’ game and decided to recreate a similar 24-hour hiding challenge, police said.
The children, who live in the B-Block colony of Hastinapur, disappeared from their home on Sunday afternoon, triggering concern among their family members and prompting a search operation.
Children Set Up Hidden Base Near Farmhouse
According to police, the siblings were influenced by the online challenge and decided to carry out their own version of it.
They reportedly selected a secluded location near a farmhouse and arranged a temporary base where they planned to remain hidden for 24 hours.
The children apparently intended the activity as a game and did not inform their family before leaving home.
Family Reports Children Missing
Their sudden disappearance led the family to alert authorities. Police and the Mission Shakti team subsequently launched a search to locate the children.
Circle Officer (Mawana) Pankaj Lavania said the children had gone missing from their residence during the afternoon.
With their whereabouts initially unknown, teams began checking possible locations and gathering information that could help trace them.
Police Recover Children Within Two Hours
The search operation ended successfully after police and the Mission Shakti team located both children near the farmhouse.
Officials said the children were safely recovered approximately two hours after they went missing.
They were subsequently reunited with their family, bringing the search to a safe conclusion.
Incident Highlights Risks of Online Challenges
The incident has also drawn attention to the influence online videos can have on young children.
While challenge videos may appear entertaining on social media and video-sharing platforms, children may attempt to copy activities without understanding potential risks or the concern their actions could cause for their families.
The Meerut incident serves as a reminder for parents and guardians to remain aware of the kind of content children watch online and to explain the possible consequences of attempting potentially unsafe challenges.
Police Investigation Continues
Authorities are continuing to look into the circumstances surrounding the children’s disappearance. The immediate priority, however, was their safe recovery, which was achieved within a short period.
The children have now been handed back to their families.
