A sick new Facebook “game” has been taking hold of teenagers, encouraging them to go missing for 48 hours.

Dubbed the “48-hour challenge,” the worrying task sees children as young as 14 seek to earn points as they hide from their parents and loved ones for as long as they possibly can.

Scores are then awarded depending on how many times they are mentioned on social media.

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The challenge comes just two years after a similar one - called “Game of 72” - told youngsters to disappear for up to 72 hours at a time.

One mum from County Derry told Belfast Live her child left the local area and was found some 55 hours later in Ballymena, a town in a totally different county.

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“I was terrified they were dead or would be raped, trafficked or killed,” she said.

“These kids just think it’s funny. There was not even a moment of remorse when my child was taken into police custody and, when the police brought my child home, I could see posts of selfies from the police car.”