Momo suicide challenge is the recent cyber threat creating abuzz in social media and other digital platforms across the globe. As per reports, a growing number of young people from a range of different countries are believed to have taken their own lives as part of the viral WhatsApp suicide game, causing increasing panic among parents. Police officials and other government institutes are issuing warnings to keep the young citizens unharmed. Taking cognisance of the online game, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released a public advisory to all its affiliated schools regarding Momo Challenge on its official website to take necessary precautions against the online game. Momo Suicide Challenge – A Suicide Game on Whatsapp That’s As Dangerous As the Blue Whale Challenge of 2017. 

Last month, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had released an ‘Advisory on Momo Challenge Game’ in which they mentioned lists of signs and symptoms including some tops to protect children from the dangerous game. Along with MeitY’s copy, the educational board further describing the seriousness of it, released the advisory to schools stating, “In the game, members are challenged to communicate with unknown numbers. The game consists of a variety of self-harming dares which become increasingly risky as the game progresses and it finally ends with a suicide challenge. It involves challenges that encourage teenagers/children/any other user to engage in a series of violent acts as part of the challenges.” Momo Suicide Challenge on Whatsapp: What Parents Can Learn From The Blue Whale Challenge And Keep Their Children Safe. 

In August, the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) in the schools of West Bengal had called upon all member schools to urge parents to keep a close watch on their children, sighting the threat of Momo Suicide Challenge. Last year, when the Blue Whale Challenge was taking the lives of young individuals, CBSE at the time issued a circular for its schools instructing them to work towards its prevention. Following the recent notice on Momo Challenge, schools have already begun with their awareness drives to keep students away from the game. However, as per TOI, governments schools are yet to take up measures fearing that any discussion on the viral suicide game might make students who are not aware of the game more curious.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2018 04:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).