NJ Schools: 'Momo Challenge' That Encourages Suicide Resurfaces

New Jersey school officials are warning communities that the "Momo Challenge," the Internet game that encourages suicide, has resurfaced – even as some argue that the whole thing is a hoax.

Authorities warned the Glassboro and Oaklyn schools this week that the "Momo Challenge" is once again appearing on the Internet, and children may have been exposed. "Our children have been buzzing," said Rich Taibi, principal of the Bullock School in Glassboro.

The South Brunswick Police Department is urging parents to monitor their children's social media accounts and online presence in response to a series of reports worldwide regarding a dangerous social media game called the "Momo Challenge."

“We are aware of this growing trend nationwide and we want to be proactive by alerting our community to its dangers," said Chief Raymond J. Hayducka.

The New Jersey Crisis Intervention Team, a county-based collaboration of law enforcement and mental health professionals, also asked parents this week to "please take the time to read and speak to your children. We here at CIT-NJ know of several people (who have) come across this and much more."

Indeed, school districts across the country are saying that their students are also talking about the dangerous game's reemergence. Police in Radnor, Pa. 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 Taibi. "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 Guadian.

According to a news release issued by Radnor police, the challenge is the same as you've head: A scary doll figure with an ominous voice targets children's websites such as YouTube Kids. The figure comes on the screen after the seemingly innocent video begins playing.

Then the figure talks about the "Momo Challenge," which attempts to have children commit more and more increasingly disturbing acts, including suicide, according to Radnor police.

The Momo Challenge can be found on Facebook and WhatsApp, in addition to other media platforms, and is targeted at children and young adults, according to the South Brunswick police.

The South Brunswick School District will have its annual parent and student Social Media and Technology Symposium on Saturday, March 23 at Crossroads North Middle School. The workshop will give parents and students an opportunity to learn more about cyber safety and how to better help their child navigate the social media world.

Many became aware of the challenge last year when Brick school officials also sent out an alert warning parents to monitor their children's social media usage. First-graders thre were apparently discussing the game, which can be found on Facebook and WhatsApp.

Here are five things to know about this dangerous social media game that's 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.
• In Brick Township, a student at Warren H. Wolf Elementary shared descriptions of the challenge with first-grade classmates last year and allegedly had acted on some of the directions from the challenge, the Asbury Park Press reported. In a letter to district parents, Brick Schools Superintendent Gerald Dalton said the Momo Challenge "is just one example of dangerous 'games' through social media that has a negative impact on students and their social interactions."
• 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.

A Denver Channel published this report on the Momo Challenge in October. Some of the images and details may be disturbing: