Mums and dads in Swale have been warned about a horrific 'suicide game' which their children could see while watching videos.

The Momo Challenge, which features a scary-looking doll, can pop up unannounced in children's videos on the internet and encourages viewers to take part in dangerous or violent acts.

This morning Halfway Houses Primary School in Danley Road, Halfway, was one of the first to send a text to parents highlighting the content which appears on some children's YouTube videos.

The school wrote: "It has come to our attention that disturbing images have been appearing while children have been accessing the internet at home. Please be aware."

Assistant head teacher Lisa Elderfield said: "We have sent a text to all parents to make them aware of what is going on.

"At the moment it is a home rather than a school issue.

"We don't want to scare the children but we have reinforced the message that they need to be aware of what they are watching and for parents to be aware as well."

She was planning to talk to pupils about it in the school assembly this morning.

"We have sent a text to parents to make them aware of what' is going on" - Lisa Elderfield

Queenborough School and Nursery in Edward Road, Queenborough, Tunstall Primary School in Tunstall Road, Sittingbourne and Regis Manor Primary School in Middletune Avenue, Sittingbourne, have said they are also following advice sent from The Education People on behalf of Kent County Council.

Parents should block anything distressing and to report it to the sites where they appear.

St George's CE Primary School, Chequers Road, Minster, Eastchurch CE Primary School and West Minster Primary School in St George's Avenue, Sheerness, have shared a warning post on their Facebook pages from National Online Safety.

Rebecca Avery is Education Safeguarding Advisor (Online Protection) at The Education People, a Kent County Council local authority trading company.

She said: “A small number of schools have contacted the service to ask for advice on a social media ‘challenge’ that is being talked about online and reported in local and national media. Credible reports of the character in this ‘challenge’ encouraging children to carry out harmful behaviour, or inserting itself into online games and videos, are rare. However, we appreciate adults, as well as any children and young people who may have seen the image or heard about the game, may be concerned.

“We have reiterated advice previously given to schools with regards to Internet safety, which includes supporting any children or young people who may have seen upsetting content or images and continuing to provide advice to parents and guardians around positive behaviour online. Further advice for school staff is available on our websites and they are always welcome to contact a member of the Education Safeguarding Service should they need to.”