Schools throughout South Lanarkshire are warning children and their parents of the dangers of an evil online craze.
The craze, named the Momo Challenge, requires youngsters to message a fictional horror character named Momo by calling or sending texts to strangers’ phone numbers they find on the internet.
Some of these can be found on YouTube, the video-sharing platform owned by Google.
The anonymous person will then instruct children to engage in dares or challenges.
These can range from relatively innocent activities such as watching a horror film or staying up late, through to self-harm and suicide. Children are told to film themselves and send the clips to Momo, who responds by sending more dares.
The challenge is already said to have been linked to the suicide of a 12-year-old girl in Argentina.
Bothwell Primary School held a school assembly this week to highlight the craze and its dangers.
The children were told if they see anything like this, then they should contact their parents or the school.
One concerned parent said: “My daughter came home to tell me there had been a school assembly about this online video and asked what it was, she was visibly upset by it.
“The whole worry around the social media thing is bad enough when it comes to kids growing up, but to think now this Momo Challenge could be popping up within well-known apps such as Youtube – it’s hard to know what to do.
“I’m glad the school has raised this, but it’s a shame that the pupils are made to be worried about it.”
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “We are aware that this is raising concerns amongst children, parents and families, this is not accessible in our schools.
“Some schools have already brought this to the attention of parents.”
