WCD Ministry issues advisory on Momo Challenge; chalks out guidelines for parents to protect children

New Delhi, September 12: In today’s socially inclined world where children are more socially active with technology, monitoring them has become a top most priority for the parents. With the recent Momo Challenge getting popular among children, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued an advisory on the deadly online game Momo challenge, asking parents to monitor social media activity of their children to ensure that they are not engaging in the dangerous game.

Noting that the game has become viral on social media platforms, the ministry has asked parents to keep a check on the activities of children. The Ministry also said that parents should not tell their children about the 'Momo challenge' unless they have a reason to believe that the child also knows about it.

What is Momo Challenge?

The Momo challenge consists of a variety of self-harming dares which becomes increasingly risky as the game progresses and it finally ends with a suicide challenge.

Signs listed by Ministry of Women and Child Development

The Ministry listed signs that might indicate that a child is involved in the game. The signs include becoming withdrawn from friends and family, persistent low mood, visible marks such as deep cuts or wounds on any part of the body.

The advisory has asked guardians to install a good cyber or mobile parenting software which helps them in monitoring children besides taking help of professionals if there is apprehension that child is at risk.

It is alleged that the 'Momo Challenge' has claimed the lives of two persons in Kurseong in West Bengal's Darjeeling district -- Manish Sarki, 18, on August 20 and Aditi Goyal, 26, the next day. Police suspect that both of them were into the online game which led them to take the extreme step.

Last year, another cyber game 'Blue Whale' had surfaced which claimed a number of lives.