'Momo Challenge': Hoax Still Threat For Vulnerable Kids, Some Say

LONG ISLAND, NY — Over the past week, parents, educators, and even Kim Kardashian West have turned to social media in droves to voice terror over a perceived threat to their young children, the "Momo Challenge," which purported to send creepy and horrifying messages to tykes, urging them to perpetuate violent challenges, including stabbings — and to commit suicide.

If the kids didn't comply, they were supposedly warned, there could be retribution, or even a visit from the stringy haired, bulgy eyed, half-bird Momo herself, while the children slept.

During a week where a steamy performance by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper dominated much of social media, Momo vied for sparking the most hysteria.

But while many have now deemed the "Momo Challenge" a hoax, much like Tide pods and "snorting condoms," according to the Atlantic, educators and health professionals alike are utilizing the spooky avatar as a way to create a teaching moment for kids and to promote internet safety for young people

And, others insist, hoax or not, an internet threat can still be deadly dangerous for vulnerable youth who might be bullied or isolated and without avenues for guidance.

The Momo Challenge is not new; it first surfaced on the internet a year ago — and it's sparked worldwide concerns: At least three deaths in September were being investigated in connection with the challenge in other countries. Closer to home in NJ, a student shared descriptions of the challenge with first-grade classmates last year and allegedly had acted on some of the directions from the challenge, the Asbury Park Press reported.

The origin of the Momo Challenge isn't exactly known and some believe it to be urban legend, The Washington Post reported. "People are claiming what Momo is and what Momo does, but not that many people have actually interacted with the account. Finding screenshots of interactions with Momo is nearly impossible and you'd think there'd be more for such a supposedly widespread thing," ReignBot, a famous YouTuber, is quoted as saying in a recent report by the publication.

But still, the challenge has prompted international warnings, including from police departments in India, Mexico and Spain. In the United States, officials in Florida have posted warnings about the game. It has been banned in Pakistan.

On Long Island, parents expressed horror this week at the Momo threat to their kids.
"This is the craziest thing I have ever heard," mom Gina Lieneck wrote on social media. "Parents be on the alert for this sick demented challenge! So scary!"

In an interview with Patch, Lieneck said, "We live in a very sad world today. We need to make changes and make them fast. Our young children are being targeted and easily persuaded to do harmful things as a trend. These challenges are sick. We have to figure out a way for authorities to pick on these challenges and hold them accountable for it. There are too many dangerous challenges. Like the Kiki dance when everyone was getting out of their cars and dancing. Pure craziness."

Mom Krista Bertschi also spoke out on social media: "As I’m reading letters from school administration about the dangers of the MoMo trend and I fear for all of our beautiful babies, it just hit me to start the 'NoNo to MoMo' trend and encourage our kids to invite the child feeling alone to feel supported and encouraged by his/her peers."

She added: Let's teach our children to support each other, especially during a difficult day or a difficult week. Each child can offer something, and we always need to keep that in mind. They may not be the 'best' at every sport or activity but they tried and eventually through hard work they can make themselves the best that that they can be. Just knowing that our children are surrounded by all of our love and that they will always have our support means the world to them, to me, and I know, all of you. Let’s start this new trend together. Let’s end the negativity and promote positivity! We can do this. We can help change this world for our kids!"

Even celebrities such as Kim Kardashian spoke out against Momo; she posted Facebook clips about the challenge on her Instagram story, warning parents to "monitor what your kids are watching," and asking YouTube for help, according to an Insider report and multiple other posts. But according to the Insider post, the Instagram did not include links to any Momo videos.

Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When asked about the Momo Challenge by Patch, a YouTube spokesperson responded: “Contrary to press reports, we’ve not received any recent evidence of videos showing or promoting the Momo challenge on YouTube. Content of this kind would be in violation of our policies and removed immediately."

Also according to YouTube, the content has not been found on YouTube Kids, and anyone reporting that it has would be inaccurate. YouTube said it permits news stories and videos that are intended to raise awareness of and educate against the challenge. Content that promotes the Momo challenge that is not news, educational, documentary footage is prohibited on YouTube.

According to YouTube, there has been content reporting on the Momo character and people have sent screenshots of thumbnails with the Momo character in it, but that content has been focused on discussing/documenting/reporting on the challenge and the character.

YouTube reminded that the Momo character originated from an art installation in Japan.

Also, YouTube said it is not intended for children, which is why YouTube Kids was created, a more controlled version of YouTube built specifically for families in mind.

After the recent media frenzy, the threat has been deemed a viral hoax, according to a piece in The Atlantic, which said there were "zero corroborated reports of a child taking his or her own life after participating in this phony challenge."

Instead, Momo seems to have been classified as another hoax, much like the eating Tide Pods challenge, the Blue Whale challenge that allegedly told kids to commit suicide, the eating cinnamon craze and the snorting condoms trend, according to the pot.

The trends said the Atlantic, are “part of a moral panic, fueled by parents’ fears in wanting to know what their kids are up to,” quoting Benjamin Radford, a folklorist and research fellow at the Committee for Skeptic Inquiry, in the Rolling Stone.

Still a threat to vulnerable kids

Despite the "hoax" designation, some mental health experts say that any internet threat can prove devastating to a young person who might be vulnerable, bullied, or suicidal.

Roberta Temes, Ph.D., a psychotherapist and author based in New Jersey responded to the recent flurry of fear: "Parent and media response could go a long way in extinguishing the effect of all things Momo," she told Patch. "When anything ridiculously absurd is treated as if it is stupid and harmless it loses its value. When that same ridiculously absurd thing is responded to as if it is a serious threat a vulnerable child may feel that thing has power over her."

As for children who already may be isolated, she said: "Vulnerable kids need more than protection. They need specific lessons in how to protect themselves and ignore nonsensical directions."

Family communication is key — and parents can help their kids guide others who need help, Temes said.

"When the family is together, a parent can casually laugh at the foolishness of a Momo video, discuss the irrationality of it, and encourage the kids to think of statements that would reassure susceptible classmates," she said.

Schools taking proactive stance

Despite the fact that no Momo incidents or harm has been reported on Long Island, school districts have sent out warning letters to parents — that also offer advice on how to keep kids safe from internet harm.

At the Riverhead Central School District, a letter was sent to families: "This message is to alert you to a dangerous viral challenge spreading throughout social media. Known as the 'Momo challenge,' users are encouraged to engage in various activities, some of which involve self-harm, and provide photographic evidence. According to various media reports, the challenge has been reported on Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp, as well as popping up on the popular video game 'Fortnite,'" wrote Superintendent of Schools Dr. Aurelia Henriquez.

"Additional media reports suggest the challenge may be a hoax that is rapidly spreading. Regardless of whether the challenge is a hoax or a legitimate challenge encouraging children to engage in harmful behavior, I encourage you to speak with your children about internet safety and to monitor your child’s use of social media and the internet," she said. "As a parent of two young children myself, I understand the challenges you’re facing. We want our children to embrace technology and the benefits it provides our society while also being mindful of the potential dangers."

Hauppauge Public Schools also sent a message: "Although many news outlets are doubting the veracity of the story, we are proactively letting parents know so you may speak to your child about this topic and the risks and threats sometimes seen on social media platforms."

The Longwood Central School District said kids might be directed to comply with Momo as a form of "cyberbullying" and sent out a message to parents. "They do not have the coping skills to deal with the pressure both from the challenges and from the bullies."

The district urged parents to speak to kids about the Momo Challenge and use it as an opportunity to warn children not to accept an invitation to play online with someone they don't know, not to click on unidentified links, to change email and social media passwords frequently, and to block unknown users.

National Online Safety also offered a guide to help concerned parents and schools, upset by the "horrifying #Momo challenge."

Top tips for parents, according to the guide, include telling kids it's not real, being present and talking regularly with children, using device settings and parental controls, addressing peer pressure, and reporting and blocking strangers.