Warning for Parents - Could Your Child Be Involved in the Deadly "Momo Challenge"?
In recent times, a concerning online game known as the Momo Challenge has gained notoriety. This article aims to provide parents with essential measures to safeguard their children from this harmful game.
Firstly, it is crucial to monitor and supervise children's gaming and online activity. Parents can install and configure parental controls or dedicated monitoring software to restrict access to unsafe games or websites and monitor children’s interactions [1]. Additionally, setting time limits and actively supervising gameplay can help ensure children are not spending excessive amounts of time online [1].
Educating children about online risks is another key measure. Discuss with kids how to recognize suspicious or harmful content like the Momo Challenge and encourage them to report any uncomfortable encounters to a trusted adult [3]. Tips for children to protect themselves include not providing contact details to strangers, ignoring unknown friend requests on social media, not opening links sent by unknown people, and saying no to friends or acquaintances trying to induce them to play the game [5].
Blocking harmful platforms or content is another important step. Use content filtering solutions to block sites or apps associated with Momo or other dangerous challenges [4]. It is also advisable to keep updated on emerging online threats and maintain open communication channels so children feel safe sharing concerns [3].
If a child is suspected to be playing the Momo Challenge, parents can talk to them in a friendly manner, empower them to go against it, and change the privacy settings of their smartphone. The risks involved in the Momo Challenge increase as the game progresses, and participants are often asked to film themselves while executing their assigned dares [6].
If a child is being contacted by Momo, it is recommended to report the incident to the nearest police and cyber police, seek help from a psychiatrist, and contact suicide prevention helplines if necessary [7]. The Momo Challenge has claimed the lives of 3 children in India, including a high school girl from Rajasthan and an 18-year-old boy from north Bengal [8].
The Momo Challenge gained popularity on social media, particularly on Facebook, where participants were asked to contact an unknown number [9]. The individuals who create the Momo Challenge have a personality disorder, are emotionally unstable, self-centered, and have good manipulation skills. They typically grow up in dysfunctional families and target vulnerable individuals, such as shy or introverted children [10].
To safeguard a child from online threats, parents can monitor and supervise their online activities, secure their devices with malware prevention software, keep a check on their contact list, educate them about cyber threats, and consider giving them an ordinary phone instead of a smartphone [2]. Proactively protecting children involves teaching them to say "no," being a good listener, being a friend to their children, educating them about social media threats, closely supervising their internet usage, and looking out for any behavioral changes [11].
In response to the Momo Challenge, the Indian government released an online warning to educate parents and children about the danger of the game, and the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) launched an online app called "cyber trivia" to educate children about handling situations with strangers [12]. Stay informed, communicate openly, and take proactive steps to protect your children from the Momo Challenge and other online threats.
