Last year, the Blue Whale Challenge allegedly led to many suicides and suicide attempts amongst teenagers across the globe. Now, a new game known as a "Momo Challenge" is reportedly encouraging children and teens to perform deadly challenges. The challenge is viral on social media platforms, especially on WhatsApp.
Payal Mahida, a researcher and lecturer at Western Sydney University says "The primary target of this Momo challenge is mentally vulnerable. The challenge throws a serious of tasks to its chosen player, but the final task is to asking them their lives." The tasks are similar to 'Blue Whale game'.
Momo Challenge
Ms Mahida explains that the Momo Challenge reportedly started on Facebook. Generally, a profile search is done to find out mentally vulnerable teens. Once the initial contact with a user is established, the Momo account sends many challenges and tasks that are to be completed to meet ‘Momo’. It allegedly involves challenges that encourage children or teens to perform a series of violent acts that end with suicide. If a child or teen refuses to follow the game’s orders, Momo threatens them. The threat may or may not be dangerous, but the fear in mind makes a child or teen to do the task. For example, if a teen has a secret relationship, then the momo account will threat them to make this thing public.
Momo is a popular social media account name. It uses an image of a doll with scary features and big eyes to catch the attention of children and teens.
The link to the Momo Challenge game is being circulated through Whatsapp. Besides, Facebook and Whatsapp the Momo game has been found on Twitter, YouTube, messenger and on a favourite video game "Minecraft".
What does it do?
Payal Mahida says "the Momo account sends disturbing, graphic photos to interact. It steals personal information, incites suicide, generates physical and psychological disorders. Based on the person's information, the momo convinces to either harm themselves or else their private information will be shared publically. "
Origin of The Momo Challenge
There is no confirmed information about the source of this challenge. But various media reports that the account appears to be connected to three numbers in Japan, Mexico, and Columbia.
What do psychologists say?
According to psychologist, Dr Madhav Thakar, it’s hard, nowadays, to keep children and teenagers away from mobile phones.
They add Momo ’s number to his or her Whatsapp contacts and writes him any message because of interest.
The child’s and teens' mind are immature to process the things properly. First, they see everything as a game but then begins to treat it as a reality. Because of their immature nature and age, they are unable to understand that Momo from WhatsApp and “Blue Whale” are always games and they have no power to harm them or do anything.- Dr Madhav Thakar
Dr Madhav Thakar has this advice: “Become a friend to your children”. If your children lack your attention and trust, they do not share anything with them. It is a significant point to communicate with your children and educate them so that the death of children can be prevented."
Deaths and the Momo Challenge
On 25th July, the Buenos Aires Times reported that Argentinian police suspect a 12-year-old girl's suicide was linked to the Momo Game. The girl filmed her task on the phone before committing suicide.
In Colombia, the death of two teenage girls' was reportedly also linked with the “Momo suicide challenge”.
According to Indian media reports, two deaths in India have been linked with this game. To combat the threat, several police authorities in India have issued warnings.
Safety Tips:
Payal Mahida, shares some safety tips
- Don't talk or chat with a stranger on Whatsapp or FB. Do not save any unknown numbers
- Do not give your number to any stranger
- Make changes to your Whatsapp privacy settings
- If you see any Momo Images, block the number immediately and inform the Police
- Avoid accepting any "invitation to play any game or join any group from a stranger
- Think twice before clicking any ink send by an unauthorised source
- Make sure when you download any app it has an excellent rating
- Frequently change passwords for both email and social media accounts.
- Always monitor your kids' activities on social media platforms, built trust and healthy relation with your teenager, so they can not be trapped
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