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Original poster

Momo

80 replies

Sophisticatedsarcasm · 26/02/2019 23:48

Got an Email today from the school telling us about this creepy internet hack that tells kids to do stuff and scares them. I asked if he’d seen it and he said yes he had but it interrupted his video and got on his nerves so turned it off straight away. I told him to not pay attention to it if he sees it again and to inform me straight away. Anyone else’s kids come across it?

OP posts:
AfterSchoolWorry · 26/02/2019 23:50

Yeah it's all over the place. I just prepped my dd by explaining what it really is. Better they are prepared than to see it without warning. I think I showed her a picture from far away so she'll recognize it.

Bedsidedrawer · 26/02/2019 23:55

Does this involve horoscopes?
My dd been accused of bullying because she sent a creepy horoscope note to another child.

ErictheGuineaPig · 27/02/2019 00:01

The hysteria surrounding this is doing my head in. The use of the word hacking is making it sound far more sinister than it is. People are editing creepy shit into you tube videos. Its not an actual evil monster hacking into your computer. I've had a good chat with my kids about it tonight. Make sure they're only watching stuff that is on an approved channel/you've already looked at and monitored. Explain what it is, that it's not real, it's people playing silly pranks and they just need to tell you if they come across it. Mine haven't actually seen it but are feeling worried about it because of all the hysteria!

RomanticFatigue · 27/02/2019 00:04

It's like a chain letter rather than an actual threat, as far as I understand. But it is creepy as hell.

AfterSchoolWorry · 27/02/2019 00:06

Thank you Eric . I feel the same. I'd rather explain in real terms what it is and hope that my child will start to form some critical thinking skills and resilience rather than helicopter.

My dd knows something might pop up and is somewhat ready.

Pinkstars2501 · 27/02/2019 06:43

That fucking thing.... I don’t have kids so I’m lucky in that I don’t have to explain this to them. But that bloody picture burns on my sodding retina every time I see it, creepy bastard.

SomeDayPerhaps · 27/02/2019 06:56

The fucking thing terrifies me and I'm 34

RockyFlintstone · 27/02/2019 07:00

But that bloody picture burns on my sodding retina every time I see it, creepy bastard.

I know, it keeps coming up on my bloody FB and all sorts, it's hideous!

IceRebel · 27/02/2019 07:11

The hysteria surrounding this is doing my head in.

I definitely think adults and news sites are fueling this and causing more anxiety. By all means explain that a lot of things online aren't real, and that no one online can make do things you don't want, but the chances of children actually coming across this seem to be very low. It's more being fueled by social media posts from adults, news sites, Youtube videos explaining the craze, and children telling others at school to google it.

NotANotMan · 27/02/2019 07:15

It's not a 'creepy internet hack' Hmm
It's a meme. Basically, the more nonsense is posted about it, the more people make YouTube videos and memes about it. This type of 'warning' is fuelling the trend!

My DS told me about momo ages ago, we googled it and while it's a creepy image he got over it quickly.

Meandmetoo · 27/02/2019 07:28

No, no one has actually seen momo pop up in a video as far as I can see. Lots of "omg omg my DS totally saw it but then couldn't find the video when asked/was deleted straightaway/I saw it but now can't find the link/can't post it/saw something on FB that was totally fake but I'll share the hype anyway, " etc etc

It's actually grown up adults that are carrying it on now rather than children. it's embarassing.

BettyTips · 27/02/2019 07:32

I am utterly sick of hearing about this. It’s a creepy bloody picture of a Japanese sculpture and that’s it.

Do people really think there is one person sat on WhatsApp sending millions of personalised messages out to children and funding pop ups on youtube 🤦‍♀️

ErictheGuineaPig · 27/02/2019 09:57

The thing that really bugs me is that you don't need to do anything other than standard Internet safety for kids to prevent it. Don't allow them unsupervised access to you tube and don't let them talk to strangers online.

NotANotMan · 27/02/2019 10:15

Exactly.
It's just been posted on my local Facebook group. People who believe it's some 'creepy hack' or that it's somehow infiltrating legitimate kids programmes are fuelling ignorance and perversely putting kids at risk by creating a panic in the wrong place.
Follow the sensible guidelines around use of the internet with your kids and momo is no greater risk than anything else unpleasant on the internet

andadietcoke · 27/02/2019 10:33

Advice from Greater Manchester Police...

Momo
Rockbird · 27/02/2019 10:42

Terrifies me and I'm 47! I'm not worried about DD1 following the instructions, she's far too anxious to do anything out of the ordinary without checking with me first. But even seeing that picture would freak her out totally so I'm more worried about that.

Meandmetoo · 27/02/2019 10:52

The thing is, no one has yet actually shared a video of these so called instructions.

Have they? Ill shit on my bosses desk and post an image of it if someone can link to a genuine scary pop up video instructing kids to leave the oven on.

SmashedMug · 27/02/2019 10:53

I think this Momo thing is a blessing in disguise. It might get parents who use YouTube as a babysitter to actually vet the stuff their child is watching.

ErictheGuineaPig · 27/02/2019 10:58

When I've seen that pointed out smashedmug, I've seen people reply with outrage that they shouldn't have to do that and it should be safe etc etc. There's a lot of ignorance/misunderstanding about how all this stuff works.

haba · 27/02/2019 10:58

What smashedmug said.

PrawnOfCreation · 27/02/2019 11:01

Supervise your kids on the Internet, doesn't matter how they use it, they should be supervised. If that's too much work, don't let them use the Internet.

Buddyelf · 27/02/2019 11:05

Hysteria or not I won't be taking any risks and as of last week they are no longer allowed on kids youtube. They have their tablets and can play games/school maths programmes they have, but no streaming/youtube. They don't seem to mind and I'm glad they aren't watching other people unbox toys anymore. Weather is getting better, they can ditch the tablets and play outside.

allergicagain · 27/02/2019 11:08

When I first saw it I though it looked like sally from the nightmare before Christmas had had a load of kids and was struggling with motherhood and drinking a lot of coffee

Newsername · 27/02/2019 11:09

I’m sure it doesn’t pop up! That’s a lie. It’s sent through messaging and it’s been around for nearly a year. It’s like the stupid blue whale hysteria that went around last year. Just supervise your kids and make sure they’re not messaging strangers.