Until today I was none the wiser, but there are concerns over a new game called the momo challenge and the more you hear about it the more alarming it is.

Videos showing the creepy momo doll (seen below) are popping up in seemingly innocent Peppa Pig and Fortnite videos on Youtube, including kids on Youtube, are being shared on social media. They show the bulging-eyed doll telling children to hurt others and themselves.

Some videos start off innocently, like a normal episode of your child's favourite video but quickly turns into an altered version with offensive language and violence. Whilst other videos are encouraging children to hurt other people at school or themselves and not to tell their parents or they will be hurt themselves.

In an article on the BBC website, they state that Momo is "being used by hackers to harvest information"

Momo targets young children on social media and encourages them to add a contact on messaging service whatsapp, then hounds them with violent images and dares, including holding a knife to their throats!

There are appeals from police to not simply focus on Momo urging them to:

• Ensure they know what their children can access online
• Ensure children understand the importance of not giving personal information to anyone they do not know
• Tell their children no-one has the right to make them do anything they do not want to do
• Use parental controls to keep children safe

"The NSPCC publishes advice and guidance for parents on discussing online safety with their children, as well as Net Aware - the UK's only parental guide to social media and gaming apps."

Among the most common signs to watch out for include children who:

Become very secretive, especially about what they are doing online
Are spending a lot of time on the internet and social media
Are switching screens on their device when approached
Are withdrawn or angry after using the internet or sending text messages
Have lots of new phone numbers or email addresses on their devices
If adults are concerned or have any questions on how to approach the subject with their children, they can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000