The so-called 'Momo Challenge' that supposedly encourages kids to harm themselves caused some panic this week among parents and had police issuing warnings.

White Plains Board of Education officials tell News 12 the 'Momo Challenge' is a recurring viral hoax and it shouldn't be shared any further.

The original Momo is a sculpture designed by a Japanese artist and it's not the first time that it has surfaced.

"A meme that's been around since at least 2018 came up again and was covered in the local media, which of course made some parents and guardians a little bit nervous," says White Plains Superintendent Joseph Ricca.

Ricca says parents were concerned that their kids could be exposed to the 'Momo Challenge.'

Parents say even though they didn't buy into the whole thing, they are worried about the content that does reach the web. They say it's important to have an open dialogue with your children.