Momo: Why internet safety is the real challenge
The Momo challenge has panicked parents over recent days, but has since been proven to be a cruel hoax. So what does it tell us about online safety?
Once the panic died down, it turned out that the Momo challenge which spread across the country this week was overblown.
Reports had swirled suggesting that children watching online videos had suddenly been confronted by a grotesque-faced girl who sets them dangerous challenges.
But YouTube now says it has found no evidence of the video, while children’s charities say they have received no reports of anybody receiving messages or harming themselves.
The image that had supposedly circulated was skin-crawling even for an adult – a female avatar with bulging eyes and a sinister grin, warning of dreadful consequences if her instructions are not followed.
It was, charities say, not causing any harm on its own, but subsequent panic over the image has spread the image far wider.
The challenge has, however, ignited a debate over trolls and our children’s online safety.
Christian Toon, a West Midlands-based cyber security expert at law firm Pinsent Masons, says that while Momo has driven the publicity, it is one of countless trolling crazes.
“There is a whole issue of nefarious individuals who take pleasure in people’s displeasure and pain,” he says.
“They are using the internet to target and propagate messages of self harm. In the early days of the internet, they would simply send an email, but the signs are they are now becoming more creative with the deployment of video.”
The Momo challenge led to schools – including Burton Borough School in Newport – sending out warning letters to parents.
Headmistress Christine Raymont-Hall says the school treats the matter very seriously, and school internet servers blocked searches for the character.
“There is a new challenge every day because technology allows things like this to change and move so quickly,” says Mrs Raymont-Hall.
“Hackers are using Momo to collect personal information that they are receiving.
“What may seem like a usual video stream or game is suddenly taken over by Momo or a figure dressed in black and covered in blood who speaks in a menacing tone, telling you to commit suicide or harm yourself.
“This has caused children to become very frightened.
“With the ‘up next’ function on YouTube, some of these modified videos are playing automatically when children are left unsupervised. Some of these are reactions to Momo and although there is a warning on some, they are still easily accessible.”
The avatar was believed to be based on a sculpture by Japanese artist Midori Hayashi, who is not associated with the game.
West Midlands Police declined to comment, but police in Northern Ireland have warned parents to be vigilant to the dangers.
“Basic open source research suggests that ‘Momo’ is run by hackers who are looking for personal information,” said Craigavon police.
“The danger lies with your child feeling pressured to either follow the orders of any app via ‘challenges’, or peer pressure in chat rooms and the like.”
Ally Sultana, West Midlands campaigns manager at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, says the constantly evolving digital world means it can be hard for parents to keep track of all the latest games and phone applications.
“That’s why it’s important for parents to talk regularly with children about these apps and games and the potential risks they can be exposed to,” she says.
“The NSPCC publishes advice and guidance for parents on discussing online safety with their children, as well as Net Aware – the UK’s only parental guide to social media and gaming apps.”
While it is wise to be vigilant, cyber-psychology expert Dawn Branley Bell says parents should not panic.
“These crazes are not unique to the online environment,” she says. “It’s just that the internet acts as a way of communicating these behaviours to a wider, more public audience.”
Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the House of Commons, told parliament that more needed to be done to protect young people.
“The forthcoming online harms white paper will set out a range of legislative and non-legislative measures to keep UK users safe online,” she said.
* Parents with questions about how to approach the subject of online safety with their children can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children worried about their activity on apps or online games can contact Childline 24 hours a day on 0800 11 11 or at childline.org.uk
