MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor the internet use of children following the viral “Momo challenge” game.
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Thursday that the children must be monitored with their internet use after a report of a child who died recently for playing the “Momo Challenge.”
The “Momo Challenge,” which is played on messaging app WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, allegedly encourages children and teenagers to do specific tasks, with challenges starting small before progressing to more dangerous and violent challenges.
“Sa ating mga magulang kailangan po siguro bantayan natin ang ating mga anak. Siguro ang kailangan dito is yung talagang magabayan ang mga anak lalo na kapag sila ay wala sa atin, nandun sa mga schools,” Albayalde said.
He added: “Isa na rin ito na isama nila yung tamang pagturo para maiwasan itong mga suicidal thinking ng ating mga kabataan or etong mga challenges na ginagawa through the internet.”
Albayalde also said those encouraging self-harm through the gaming app can be held criminally liable.
“Remember, this is a crime lalung-lalo na kung ang bata ang ini-enganyo,” Albayalde said.
A parent recently made headlines after her child died of drug overdose for drinking the medicine of his father as one of the challenges in “Momo Challenge” game./PN
