Momo Challenge - scaremongering or a real danger?

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Momo is a test of incredulity that we've failed.

Yeah, me included but I don't feel too bad for two reasons.

Warnings from PSNI and Gardaí add a certain degree of credibility.

Secondly we didn't actually have to do anything, just maybe for parents to
re-assess their kids online interactions which may be a good thing.

People didn't start boycotting a product or holding protests.

(Anyone remember the evil messages embedded in heavy metal songs when you played them backwards)

I refuse to call this particular thing "hysteria" Maybe for some yes, but most people heard a believable story and shared warnings.

But it does show how social media can be extremely powerful in perpetuating stories and I fully agree there are examples where it has been very damaging.

I would like to think I would fully assess a story before actually acting on something or fundamentally change my point of view on a particular topic but still something we all need to guard against.

Ultimately the best way to keep kids safe online is to maintain good communication with them and counter the silly stuff by your own opinions and attitudes.
For example it will be naïve to think a teenager will not view porn at some stage online, so it is up to us as parents and society to counter this by openly talking about misconceptions they are picking up etc

Giveaway wrote: »

I suspect any time in the next few weeks when a kid does something naughty or nasty Momo will be blamed.
How about subverting Momo's method. Insert wholesome memes or educational content into youtibe videos, or momo txting," do your homework or i'll burn your house down"

It already is, the mother in law posted a screenshot of a screenshot of an article about that lad that killed the 6year old, and how he was obsessed with Momo and Slenderlad(sic)

It's a combination of old fashioned chain letters, urban legend, creepypasta and Streisand Effect.

I'm not normally a conspiracy theorist, but I find it convenient that in an age where a lot of disinformation gets spread online, and governments are scrambling to introduce laws to control the internet, that something crops up to whip up a moral panic, and convince the people that these laws are needed.

"Oh my god, dese tings need 2 be banned, why can't the Government just block them!"

Do these things pop up in online interactions? Probably, but look at any forum, social media or message group. There's always at least one edgelord that posts things to get a reaction. There's always someone that misses the joke. There's always someone that blames "The Man" for their own ****e parenting.

"Stop crying, or the man will take you away!"

People who spread this junk are the same ones who post stories of a child being kidnapped in Tesco's by gypsies who dyed the child's hair a different colour etc etc.

Morons the lot of them.

iamwhoiam wrote: »

How did people post that their kids had done acts liking cutting off their hair etc ?

Likely these didn't ever happen at all. Just some parents looking for a like on Facebook so they create a story.

A poster here said a friends 6 yr old was told to stab or kill his younger sister too, something along them lines as I can't quite remember exactly now. They were asked to give some more details but never replied. I'd guess that was a BS story too.

All nonsense. It shows how easy it is to spread fake news these days. It's not hard to make something go viral. This one was self promoting as we had the schools and parents chatting about the dangers of something the kids initially knew nothing about, until they were told.

Space Dog wrote: »

So what happened to Momo? Three weeks ago she had apparently infiltrated online games, Whatsapp and Youtube... and now? Has she retired? Did she emigrate? Did she get a job as a social media influencer?

Joined ISIS, apparently. Lot of it about.

jimgoose wrote: »

Joined ISIS, apparently. Lot of it about.

Will she be allowed home? I heard she's had a kid over there.