‘This disturbing online game could have a devastating effect’
The rumours about a controversial online game called Momo have been on my mind. It’s thought to be a disturbing “suicide” game, played on social media, where a horrifying woman with bulging eyes encourages players harm themselves, or even commit suicide. And, according to some reports, it’s already resulted in the death of one child in America and prompted another to shave their hair.
I first heard about Momo when I took my daughters, Poppy, seven, Olive, six, and Hatti, four, to a dance class last month. I overheard some of the mums talking about how scary it was. My girls don’t really use ipads much, but when they do, they tend to go on Youtube and watch videos. I read up on Momo and saw that it could have infiltrated Youtube, so I spoke to my eldest daughter, Poppy, about it. I asked whether she had seen it, and she said no, but the thought of it absolutely terrified her. She went to school and told her friends about it the next day – I was mortified.
As a parent – and one who has suicide close to my heart [Jess’ ex partner and father to her three daughters, Alistair Eccles, took his own life in 2017] – I think it’s horrific that people are creating characters like this. Self-harm and suicide can have devastating effects on young and impressionable children. There is now talk that it might be a hoax – but if it is real, the creators should face severe punishment.