28th February 2019
Dear Parent/Carer,
You may have heard recently of the Momo Challenge, a game which allegedly encourages children to perform acts of self-harm via online messages received on WhatsApp, You Tube and is being discussed widely on Fortnite. It is most likely that this is completely FAKE news and this is what children need to know.
There is currently a lot of misleading information swirling around the web about the challenge and it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. This has been especially fuelled by children who have been curious when told by other, often older, children and parents and celebrities discussing it on Facebook and Twitter.
If we find out about children discussing this in school we will speak with them individually and inform their parents, however we will not discuss with all children as most know nothing about it and this would just spread more worry.
For more information on “Momo Challenge” please look at the site below.
Momo – A Guide for parents
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/momo-online-safety-guide-for-parents/
However we must stress that the best way to keep your child safe is to monitor what games, activities, apps they are using and the friendships that they have online. Also this reinforces the work we do in school with the children on how to keep themselves safe online.
To assist you in considering age appropriateness for children’s use of technology and time spent on social media please look at the guidance on our school website under e-safety. I am also providing you with some links that offer additional advice and assistance:
Kind regards
Mrs Lisa Duncan
Head Teacher