The "Momo Challenge"

Is it a deadly game or a hoax?...……….There's some saying that its a hoax, however as parents we've got to make ourselves aware of what our children are being exposed to on social media. In this internet and video game age, we've lost control of what we expose our children to in this wicked world that seems to gravitate to our children.

We're starting to see a rise in the number of children under the age of 13 committing suicide. My questions have always been "HOW?" "Why?" How do they know what suicide is? Where could these children be learning these things from? Do they even understand what happens when a person commits suicide? Do they know its permanent?

Its disheartening to read these stories and its even more mortifying when we find out that the child has been coached by someone they probably should have been able to trust. As a counselor and a mother of 4, I am writing this blog because I want to share with you how I teach my kids through conversation about the "Scaries" of the world. I use the terms "FAKE NEWS" quite often in my house. We talk about everything! I ask them about their feelings first, then I give them their "Mother's" thoughts on the situation good and bad. We have regular conversations, so they know it's ok to come to me and talk about anything and everything.

I teach them that many of our behaviors have been learned throughout our lives and many times we learn our behaviors from those closest to us, but in these days they are able to learn more from social media than those closest to them; simply because they spend so much time on playing video games, snap chatting, you tubing, or Facebooking. For this reason I keep them occupied with alternative things to do so that they don't get bored and find themselves spending hours on end navigating the internet or playing video games.

If you find yourself having a hard time navigating these conversations with your children and you are recognizing signs that your child maybe displaying behaviors that you are not encouraging but are not sure what to do to combat them, I would suggest that you seek out alternative help. Many agencies like Allstar provide services free of charge if you participate in the states Medicaid program. If you have private insurance Psychotherapy would be your option for help in these areas.

Real or Fake? We've got to talk about it!