Momo Unmasked: What Is Momo Challenge?

Scary stories have been a part of our tradition for a long time. We often find ourselves having tales we have carried with us from childhood. Some people made them into storybooks and movies. The story of Momo is no different but even goes further to become a challenge. The momo challenge quickly became a social media sensation but did cause a lot of chaos.

So what is the Momo challenge, and who is Momo?

What Is Momo Challenge?

The Momo Challenge was a weird and perhaps hazardous internet challenge aimed at young children and teenagers on numerous social media platforms. In the second half of 2018, the phenomenon attracted the attention of the general public and parents alike. A fictional character named Momo, who was essentially a WhatsApp character profile, inspired this trend. The challenge invites kids and teenagers to text Momo's number on WhatsApp, where she would give them directions on fulfilling various strange and often dangerous tasks. The challenges begin with watching a scary movie and progress to a far more serious level, with some chores as serious as self-harm or suicide.

The Story of Momo

Ever heard the story of long black hair, enormous bulging eyes, a wide smile, and bird legs of a young woman. That is the description of Momo, which was the nickname given to this young woman.

Keisuke Aso Aisawa originally designed Momo. In the summer of 2016, Aso produced the sculpture, which he dubbed Geisha Bird or Tiger Bird. He donated the sculpture to The Ghost Gallery, a group show in Tokyo, from August 15–27, 2016. In 2018, people began stealing photographs of the sculpture and coining the name Momo for it, prompting Momo to begin assigning harmful chores to youngsters for them to harm themselves. Momo's mythology began to spread on July 14, 2018, when YouTube user GloomyHouse posted a video regarding the phenomenon. He adds that you can contact Momo on Whatsapp using various phone numbers. Once the person contacts Momo, the person behind Momo will release all of the user's personal data and information.

What Consequence Momo Challenge Causes?

After the 2019 spread, the YouTube company responded to the controversy, stating that they didn't find and receive any videos promoting the Momo legend on YouTube. Although, the news continued to push against Momo with new evidence. Future on YouTube is age-restricted and demonetized all the videos about Momo on their platform.

According to one example, Momo provided violent photographs to those who contacted her. The reports read that a 14-year-old child had contact with Momo, which resulted in the boy crying uncontrollably. When the boy's mother entered the room, she discovered Momo's chat log. Momo sent the youngster a snapshot of a sketch and two graphically upsetting movies, which caused the boy to have a seizure, prompting his mother to take him to the hospital.

There were stores of a 12-year-old girl committing herself by hanging herself from a tree in her family's backyard. According to the investigation, her suicide was motivated by a chance encounter with Momo. In addition, the girl used her phone to record the events leading to her suicide. However, there was never a confirmation about the connection of the Momo Challenge in either of these cases. In response to the outcry, Aisawa stated that when the original sculpture began to deteriorate, he destroyed it. "The children can rest comfortably that Momo is dead - she doesn't exist, and the curse has passed," Aisha said. Aisawa also claimed to have saved one of the original sculpture's eyes.

Momo Is Not The End

The era of the Momo challenge is over. Still, it is not a definite end to dangerous online activity, self-harm, cyberbullying, etc. There are other stories much like Momo's, and there is a need to sanction such communities and websites that feed these to the internet. Momo challenge can be found anywhere and is not limited to a single location. Certain parents have claimed momo challenge to be found on Facebook.

If your child participates in this challenge, they could be in immediate danger. They are subjected to violent pictures, jeopardizing their safety and information.

In Argentina, police are looking into the death of a 12-year-old girl involved in the challenge. Before she died, the girl recorded herself, tied to the Momo Challenge.

Mexico's authorities have issued a warning to parents about Momo. According to the crime unit, the risk of this challenge among young people and minors is that criminals would use it to steal personal information and cause bodily and psychological harm to young people.

It is also important to note that sites are spreading these stories, typically called Creepypasta sites, and they need to sanction these stories and sites. There was also a slender man incident that led to the stabbing of a girl by her friend.

Suggestions for Parents

Due to diligence might stop your kids from accessing stories like this or reporting cases, sites, and communities that make this content available, parents need to engage actively in the activities of their kids; they can also;

We are all aware that children are already utilizing mobile devices in today's world. We do not recommend that you completely prohibit children from utilizing it because technology has its advantages. However, you must keep it to a minimum. Set a firm time limit for them to watch and stick to it. You can spend your time with them instead of being online. They will not need a 'playmate' who might be a detrimental influence this way.

Do not be alarmed if you notice something unexpected or unusual. Instead, speak calmly to your children and explain the situation factually. Make it clear that the Momo Challenge is not genuine and that challenges, especially suicide, should never be entertained. Remember that children are defenseless and easy prey. You must safeguard them and ensure they are likewise prepared to handle similar events. We cannot let such a pitiful game ruin another life.

You can do this intrusively or remotely with a parental control app; whichever way you choose, the main aim should be checkmating their activities. You can also set screen timing and web filters with parental control apps to ensure they are guarded.

With Wondershare FamiSafe, you can achieve this easily; how to set up Wondershare FamiSafe and set filters.

You can do this intrusively or remotely with a parental control app; whichever way you choose, the main aim should be checkmating their activities. You can also set screen timing and web filters with parental control apps to ensure they are guarded.

Other Features of FamiSafe

Screen scheduler: You can keep track of your child's app usage. A smart schedule also allows you set smart timetables and limit the number of times kids can spend on their devices. Another feature it offers is blocking social media and gaming apps that are not appropriate.

App blocker: Apps can be locked on children's smartphones to prevent unintentional dissemination or limit obsessive app consumption. Allow children to devote more time to learning, exercise, and other activities.

Location tracker: It allows you to track your kids' location in real-time and review their location history. Get quick notifications when your children enter or exit different places.

Activity report: Monitoring children's phones to learn about their regular phone activity. Examine which apps your children use the most and which apps they install or remove.

Detection and reporting: Keep an eye on social media applications and YouTube for any explicit or offensive language. Set up an alert for offensive terms discovered on your child's device. No longer need to check your children's social media accounts; FamiSafe can monitor 7+ social media networks simultaneously. Popular lingo among teenagers is changing. Manage questionable word settings to keep up with their pace. Save yourself the headache of regularly reviewing your child's YouTube browser history. Receive notifications on issues that affect you.

Safe search and web filters: By banning problematic websites, you can provide a safe and age-appropriate internet environment for your children. View your children's internet history and check private or incognito browsing history from afar.

Conclusion

Healthy digital habits cannot be formed overnight, especially in kids. They need a lot of guidance and interactions to avoid situations where your child happens to come across the story or challenge of Momo. Unfortunately, the Momo unmasked challenge turned out to be a lure feeding the kids' curiosity, preying on them for very sadistic satisfaction.