PARENTS, BEWARE THE INTERNET DARE
A GIRL of five hacked off her hair after being “brainwashed” by an online “suicide game” which encourages children to hurt themselves.
The Momo Challenge, which tells youngsters to undertake dangerous tasks and self-harm, is being spliced into clips on video sharing site YouTube.
The game is reportedly popping up in episodes of Peppa Pig and clips of games such as Fortnite.
It initially appears light-hearted, with video clips encouraging children to contact Momo.
But it quickly takes a dark turn as children receive messages from a creepy mother-bird character with bulging eyes and sinister grin. She tells them to self-harm.
Refusal to comply results in abusive messages and disturbing photos. The final challenge is for the child to commit suicide.
After being instructed by Momo to chop off parts of her hair, the girl was taken to Toddler Trims Salon in Gloucestershire in order to salvage what was left. A hairdresser there posted a photo of the youngster online, writing: “I’ve just had a beautiful little girl in, affected by this sick Momo challenge! I couldn’t help but feel this monster has brainwashed her.”
In South Africa, the Film and Publication Board urged parents to be vigilant and closely monitor their children’s online activities, especially games downloaded on various App stores or from other online sources.
“It has come to our attention that the game, Momo Challenge, is a form of cyberbullying targeting young children.
“It encourages self-harm and may even lead to suicide,” said the acting chief executive, Dr Maria Motebang.
It is not known who is behind Momo, which has been linked to the death of a girl from Argentina, a boy in France and a boy in Belgium.
The original avatar was created by a Japanese special effects company which has nothing to do with the game. YouTube said it had not received any complaints about Momo, adding: “Content of this kind would be in violation of our policies and removed immediately.”
Parents and guardians are urged to monitor their children’s devices and report such content the the FPB at 0800 148 148 or online at www. fpbhotline.org.za.