If you see videos including harmful or dangerous challenges on YouTube, we encourage you to flag them to us immediately. These challenges are clearly against our Community Guidelines. More info here: https://t.co/H0C5tCfn5S
— YouTube (@YouTube) February 27, 2019
Tech experts and law enforcement agencies have issued warnings in the past about the game, in which the user encourages others to harm themselves in online messages.
Today we've heard from hundreds of concerned schools and parents about the horrifying #Momo challenge which has reportedly been appearing in children's YouTube videos, causing panic and upset amongst young people. We hope you find our guide useful... https://t.co/Nuu4cUpBZD pic.twitter.com/t16m8GQ6Vt
— National Online Safety (@natonlinesafety) February 26, 2019
If they do not comply, they are apparently threatened and intimidated with a particular image, created by Midori Hayash, a Japanese artist with no link to the game, The Sun reported.
However, according to Snopes here have not been any verified cases of anyone actually being harmed because of the game. Snopes says the the challenge is just hype and hoax than reality.
Tech expert Dave Hatter told WXIX the game is believed to have originated to Facebook, but has crossed over into WhatsApp, an online messaging app that has millions of users around the world.
"I think it's a legitimate thing to be concerned about," Hatter told WXIX. "As a parent, I find it disturbing. I have a 10-year-old, and I will definitely be having a conversation with him about this."
The best thing parents can do is to educate themselves about it and talk to their children.
Most of all, Hatter said parents should monitor their child's messaging use, know who they are talking to and what they are viewing online.
Credit: DaytonDailyNews
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