Ministry warns states against Momo Challenge; K’taka 14th in search trend

Bengaluru: The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has issued an advisory to all state education departments to monitor students’ online activities and take steps to prevent spread of Momo Challenge craze among students.

In this online game, the game controller entices players on WhatsApp into performing a series of self-harming challenges. If they back out, they are threatened with violent video and audio clips. They will also be threatened that their personal information will be made public or harm will be inflicted on their family members unless a succession of tasks is performed. The threats are often accompanied by gory pictures.

The MHRD advisory comes in the wake of increasing searches for the challenge on Google trends and reports that it’s spreading on social media. Karnataka stands 15th among states of India in searches. Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are among the top five.

“Blue Whale Challenge had left schools and parents in a tizzy and now, it is Momo Challenge. We’re spreading awareness about all such dangerous social media games. But schools can only make students aware. It’s at home where they use cellphones most of the time. Parents need to monitor apps or software installed on their children’s phones,” Shashi Kumar, general secretary, Karnataka Associated management of Primary and Secondary Schools (KAMS), said.

Recently, KAMS submitted a memorandum to Shalini Rajneesh, principal secretary, education, seeking a digital use policy for schools, parents and students.

Childline is already engaged with 14 schools in Bengaluru to spread awareness. “We’re working with schools and making them aware of Momo Challenge too. However, we haven’t got any call about this yet,” said Nagasimha G Rao of Childline Bengaluru.

Earlier, the ministry of women and child welfare, national commission for protection of child rights and ministry of electronics and information technology had also put out an advisory against Momo Challenge.

What is it?

Momo Challenge is a form of cyber bullying that spreads through social media. Initially, cellphone users are enticed to contact a Momo account through WhatsApp. They receive graphic threats and are instructed to perform a series of dangerous tasks, which ends with a suicide challenge.

Signs to look for

Becoming withdrawn from friends and family.

Persistent low mood and unhappiness

Looking worried in carrying out every day activities

Outburst of anger

Marks of wounds on body

How to protect

Talk to your child to find out their every day activities and if something is stressing them.

Unless there is a reason to believe if your child has played the challenge, do not discuss. This will land them in a situation to search for the challenge unnecessarily.

Install a good cyber mobile parenting app to monitor online activities.

Take report from school’s child counsellor regularly.


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