District Announcement MOMO Warning

Hello All,

Well once again the Internet and social media has provided us with another distraction to occupy our day.

The “Momo Challenge” is the latest disturbing trend popping up on You Tube and social media.  If you are not aware, the basic idea is that kids are being contacted through social media or while watching videos on You Tube and told to commit some type of violent or harmful act to themselves or others. If they don’t, then MOMO will come and curse them or even come and kill them.

This is targeting children in all grade levels including elementary school.  Here is link to a story on channel 4. https://www.clickondetroit.com/consumer/help-me-hank/momo-challenge-disturbing-image-tells-children-to-do-terrible-things-on-youtube-videos

Howard Elementary contacted me yesterday and we created a letter for them to post on their blog. I tweaked the letter a bit so that it is more generic and will share it with all of you right after I hit the send button on this e-mail.  Please feel free to use the letter on your school blog if you feel it is necessary.  Remember, we don’t want to cause more attention to something but at the same time, if you hear your parents, staff, and students talking about this we want to be proactive.  The letter is written in a way that does not promote or specifically name the MOMO Challenge but addresses the issue.

Please note that the Technology Department is available and has provided Parent Training to schools as requested regarding all types of social media and Internet safety awareness.  Troy Patterson and his team is available and willing to work with parents and, if needed, will arrange to visit your school during a parent meeting.

If you have any questions or concerns about the letter please contact me directly.

Thanks,
David

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