The "Momo Challenge" is a hoax (Hype)

To cut the long story short, Momo is someone’s bad idea of a prank, taken up and shared virally on the Internet. There is nothing to be scared of, really, but the experience is absolutely not appropriate for the kids. If you’re worried about this happening to your children, speak to them and listen to them. Be their friend and they will tell you about the things that scare or offend them in cyberspace, whether it’s Momo or something else.

According to the Wikipedia, The "Momo Challenge" is a hoax and urban legend about a nonexistent social media challenge that was spread on Facebook and other media outlets.

According to the statement released by Youtube, here is the summary:

" Many of you have shared your concerns with us over the past few days about the Momo Challenge--we’ve been paying close attention to these reports. 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. 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."


Staying safe online

Having said that, every single computing devices (including mobile phones) are required to be protected. Here are some useful tips:

1. Protect your devices

There are some games really looks like Momo can be used to trick kids into downloading malware into their phone, tablet or computer. Hackers use this malware to steal information and to gain access to the rest of your home network where they can access details like passwords and credit cards.
Installing anti-malware will keep your devices virus free – and block the bad guys from accessing personal data.

2. Use Parental Control, Online Safety to your children

As Parent, you want to restrict and safe guard your kids to avoid the worst stuff, but games like Momo will try and trick them into seeing unacceptable, inappropriate websites and images. 

Bitdefender provides parental controls, allowing you to monitor and control any inappropriate websites that may be accessed by your kids. 

Act now, as Momo is causing widespread panic today, but as word spreads about the potential dangers of the game, interest will quickly die off. Unfortunately, something equally disturbing will replace it eventually – so parents must act now to keep their kids safe online.

Once you have regained control of your kid's device, you can then have “the talk” with kids about safe behaviour online.

"Children should be made aware that no one has the right to tell them to give out personal information or make them do anything they don't want to do," Detective Sergeant Parsons said.

Ready to learn more? Check out this article on using parental controls effectively.
​

ONE product that covers all your security needs