BEWARE! After blue whale challenge, Momo WhatsApp challenge poses serious threat to teens

New Delhi: After the horrific blue whale challenge, there is another unsettling “game” called the Momo WhatsApp challenge that is spreading wildly on social media. The suicide of a 12-year-old girl in Argentina is reportedly being linked to this new challenge. In the latest instance of social media wrongly influencing children and teens, the Momo challenge is a social media account on WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, which uses the image of an artwork invoking horror among people.

What is Momo challenge

• The Momo challenge a 'suicide' game on WhatsApp that has gone viral • According to the report, the game induces curiosity among children, challenging them to communicate with an unknown number • As per the report by the Sun, the artwork used by Momo is an image of a woman with grotesque features and bulging eyes • Similar to 'Blue Whale', this game also challenges teens to carry out bizarre and life-threatening tasks which may ultimately lead to suicide

How does Momo challenge works?

Much like the 'Blue Whale', the Momo Challenge also pushes participants to follow certain "orders". Following which they are asked to communicate with an unknown number. If players refuse to abide, they are threatened with violent images.

What is the artwork?

The image of a girl with a distorted face and bulging eyes along with a wide mouth is a creation of Japanese artist Midori Hayashi, who is not associated with the game in any way, reported the Sun. The looks are extremely disturbing.

How NOT to fall prey of the game

For kids: • If you are a child, block any message on WhatsApp or Facebook that asks you to harm yourself • If you are disturbed, talk to your parents, friends or anyone you feel comfortable with For parents: • You need to monitor what your kid does and analyse their behaviour • Pay attention if your child is behaving differently or hurting themselves • And above all, sit down with your kid and let them know that it’s ok to come to talk to you about anything • Stay safe! Don’t let the insane perpetrators of such a challenge take on the best of you