YouTube insists there are no videos on its platform that promote the so-called "Momo Challenge" -- an online game that encourages children to do self-harm and ultimately commit suicide.

"We want to clear something up regarding the Momo Challenge: We’ve seen no recent evidence of videos promoting the Momo Challenge on YouTube," the Google-owned video sharing platform said in a series of tweets.

We want to clear something up regarding the Momo Challenge: We’ve seen no recent evidence of videos promoting the Momo Challenge on YouTube. Videos encouraging harmful and dangerous challenges are against our policies.

— YouTube (@YouTube) February 27, 2019

YouTube maintains that videos that encourage harmful and dangerous challenges violate its policies. It also urges users to flag videos containing inappropriate online content, and offered a link that shows how to report them.

A look at YouTube's guidelines shows that videos showing harmful and dangerous challenges may get age-restricted or removed depending on severity.

The statement comes amid news reports that some YouTube videos catered to kids contained spliced videos that teach children to harm themselves or end their lives.

At least two parents from the Philippines have also claimed their children became suicidal allegedly after watching videos related to the Momo Challenge.

Authorities have called on parents to be aware of such videos being spread on internet platforms.

• PNP to parents: Keep kids on tight watch amid cyberbullying, perils of internet use

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Editor's note:

A group in the Philippines is dedicated to addressing those who have suicidal tendencies.

The crisis hotlines of the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation aim to make these individuals feel that someone is ready to listen to them.

These are their hotline numbers:

(02) 804-HOPE (4673)
0917 558 HOPE (4673)
2919 (toll-free number for all GLOBE and TM subscribers)