Anne Arundel Schools: Momo Challenge With Suicide Threat Returns

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools officials are warning parents that the "Momo Challenge," the Internet game that encourages kids to try dangerous stunts, threatens them with harm and talks of suicide, has resurfaced — even as some argue that the whole thing is a hoax. And parents were urged to monitor what their children see online, rather than relying solely on settings or filters.

Superintendent George Arlotto posted a letter Thursday on the school district website that warned parents that the "Momo Challenge" is again appearing on the Internet, and children may have been exposed to the game's dangerous consequences.

EmpowerEducateKids.Org describes it this way: “Momo is social media account that can be found on Facebook, YouTube and Whatsapp. When a person interacts with the account, they begin to receive pictures of Momo, a terrifying image of a bug-eyed toothless woman. Momo responds almost immediately with threatening messages and violent images to the user. She says that she knows personal things about the user and uses fear and threats to challenge the user.”

The "Momo Challenge" attempts to have children commit more and more increasingly disturbing acts, including suicide, according to authorities.

"There have been various reports that the “challenge” is a hoax and has been previous circulated. Nonetheless, there is no question that it has, in recent days, raised anxiety among parents," Arlotto wrote. "Our school administrators, counselors, psychologists, and social workers are aware of this issue. I urge you to not only familiarize yourself with it, but to have serious conversations with your child about it and to monitor your child’s social media image. Please do not allow a search filtering tool or software to take the place of parental supervision.

YouTube said on its help channel that is monitoring concerns raised in recent days about the Momo Challenge.

"After much review, we’ve seen no recent evidence of videos promoting the Momo Challenge on YouTube. Videos encouraging harmful and dangerous challenges are clearly against our policies, the Momo challenge included," YouTube posted. "Despite press reports of this challenge surfacing, we haven’t had any recent links flagged or shared with us from YouTube that violate our Community Guidelines."

But, school districts across the country are saying that their students are also talking about the dangerous game's reemergence. Police in Radnor, Pennsylvania, are alerting parents to the disturbing trend on Internet videos that target children. "They (children) are curious about what they have heard, and are a little scared," said Rich Taibi, principal of the Bullock School in Glassboro. "As parents, educators and board members, it's important for us to be aware and informed so that we can reassure our kiddos."

Police also have issued warnings to parents on social media after the popular WhatsApp challenge resurfaced. A northern California mother says her family fell victim to the game, telling CBS Sacramento that her 12-year-old daughter with autism was encouraged to do dangerous things by the character. "Just another minute, she could've blown up my apartment, she could've hurt herself, other people, beyond scary," Woods said.

Experts and charities, meanwhile, have warned that the "Momo Challenge" is nothing more than a "moral panic" spread by adults. The Samaritans and other charities say there is no evidence that the game has caused any harm, according to The Guardian.

Here are key points to know about the social media game described as cyberbullying:

• The Momo Challenge is directed at children and young adults. The "challenge" features a frightening avatar who asks the child to perform various tasks, and provide photos as proof. The "Momo" threatens those who do not perform the tasks.
• The tasks can escalate to serious violent acts, including self harm and suicide. At least three deaths in September were being investigated in connection with the challenge in other countries.
• The origin of the Momo Challenge isn't exactly known and some believe it to be urban legend, The Washington Post reported. "People are claiming what Momo is and what Momo does, but not that many people have actually interacted with the account. Finding screenshots of interactions with Momo is nearly impossible and you'd think there'd be more for such a supposedly widespread thing," ReignBot, a famous YouTuber, is quoted as saying in a recent report by the publication.
• The challenge has prompted international warnings, including from police departments in India, Mexico and Spain. In the United States, officials in Florida have posted warnings about the game. It has been banned in Pakistan.

Because the “challenge” can involve discussions of violence and self-harm, there is also a risk that children could experience those emotions, as well, Arlotto said. He urges parents to:

• Keep computers and cellular devices in an open area. Do not allow your child to use a device in their bedroom or other areas unsupervised.
• Talk with your child about what they find distressing. Remain calm, be nonjudgmental and listen.
• Know the warning signs of distress: changes in behavior (e.g., outbursts, being withdrawn) or physical health (e.g., weight loss/gain, loss of appetite, poor sleep habits), hopelessness, sadness, boredom and depression.

If your child is in distress, seek medical assistance immediately and alert your child’s school
counselor to this matter. Sources of assistance include:

• Anne Arundel County Crisis Warmline – 410-768-5522, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline – 800-422-0009, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 800-273-8255, 24 hours a day. 7 days a week
• AACPS Student Safety Hotline – 877-676-9854, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Crisis Text Line – Text 741741, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Inside Edition published this report on the Momo Challenge last week. Some of the images and details may be disturbing:

Includes reporting by Patch Editor Tom Davis