Myths, risks and reality checks on viral threats

As Momo dangers are played down, experts analyse...

IT is the latest in a worrying series of viral crazes that has been linked to self-harm and suicide but just how dangerous is the Momo challenge?

With her grotesque features, it is no wonder that children are scared of the haunting image that features in the game, and schools have issued warnings about it.

But yesterday, leading charities and MPS said there is “no confirmed evidence” it poses a threat to Northern Ireland children.

Here, experts outline the truth about Momo and what to do if your children come across it... character.” The image is of an artwork called Mother Bird by Midori Hayashi, a Japanese doll artist not associated with the game.

Parenting author Liat Hughes Joshi says: “I find it scary looking at it and I am 45, so I completely understand that children are going to find it alarming.” self-harm or suicide in the UK. Leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, said yesterday: “The Momo challenge... is one the Government is extremely concerned about.

“Organisations including Samaritans, NSPCC and Safer Internet Centre have said there is no concerned evidence that the Momo phenomenon is posing a threat to British children.”

Elsewhere, it has been linked to the death of a girl of 12 in Argentina and a boy of nine in Brazil. Youtube said it had not received any evidence of videos showing or promoting the Momo challenge on its platform. It said: “Content of this kind would be in violation of our policies and removed immediately.” probably go online and search for it, so we’re just feeding the beast.

“You’re much better having a general conversation about online dangers and specifically about being asked or forced or blackmailed to do things by people outside of family and school.

“That’s a much better conversation to have than to focus on this one scare. It will blow over but there will be something else

The National Online Safety group said it had heard from “hundreds of concerned schools and parents”.

Many British schools are posting warnings about the challenge online. But the experts say doing this could be fanning the flames.

Liat says: “I understand they want to show they are taking responsibility and being helpful to parents. But I do wonder whether it’s fuelling this phenomena and highlighting its profile. .

“The fact is, very few children have seen this but the more we tell them, the more chance there is that they’re going to search for it.”

For help, see internetmatters.org.

FEAR Image has alarmed many UK parents What are schools doing about it?

FORUM Momo messages