Momo ‘suicide game’ was inspired by creepy doll artwork before twisted WhatsAppers hijacked it
Sculpture was part of an unrelated exhibition in Tokyo
WITH bulging eyes, pale skin and a sinister smile, the character known as Momo is tormenting internet users across the globe after becoming the face of a disturbing online "suicide game".
The doll-like creature features in a sick viral challenge that has found its way onto youngsters' mobile phones through WhatsApp and is feared to have claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl.
But creepy Momo, who has been described as the Slenderman of 2018, was never intended to cause chaos on the net.
The terrifying female sculpture is the work of special effects outfit Link Factory, and was recently featured in a display at an art gallery in Tokyo, Japan.
They are not associated with the game in any way.
Despite being created with artistic intentions, Momo has be hijacked by vile internet users to spread fear across the web.
Police forces in several countries have expressed concern about the Momo game, which is similar to the Blue Whale 'challenge' that led to reports of 130 suicides in Russia.
, the game started in a Facebook group where members were 'challenged' to communicate with an unknown number.
Several users are reported as saying that Momo responded with violent images and players are threatened if they refuse to follow the game's "orders".
Police in Argentina are linking the game to the death of a 12-year-old who took her own life and have issued warning to parents
They are hunting for the “adolescent with whom she exchanged those messages”.
Momo has now been reported in Mexico, Argentina, United States, France and Germany, .
FOR KIDS: How to say no
It can sometimes be hard to stand up to your friends, so Childline offers the following tips on how to say no:
1) Say it with confidence:
Be assertive. It’s your choice and you don’t have to do something which makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
2) Try not to judge them:
By respecting their choices, they should respect yours.
3) Spend time with friends who can say ‘no’:
It takes confidence and courage to say no to your friends. Spend time with other friends who also aren’t taking part.
4) Suggest something else to do:
If you don’t feel comfortable doing what your friends are doing, suggest something else to do.
Any child worried about peer pressure or online worries can contact on 0800 1111.
Speaking to the BBC News's Portuguese language site, Rodrigo Nejm of Brazil's NGO Safernet said it's unclear how widespread the game is but claimed it was most likely a form of 'bait' used by criminals to steal data and extort people on the internet.
According to YouTuber ReignBot, who creates “videos exploring creepy internet weirdness”, it is hard to tie Momo down to one WhatsApp user.
It is known to be connected to at least three phone numbers, from Japan, Colombia and Mexico.
ReignBot said anyone trying to contact the numbers is unlikely to get a response.
SAFETY NET: How to keep your child safe online
The Internet can be an amazing tool to help children learn and play.
But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child is safe?
Set up parental controls
- Parental controls can be used to block upsetting or harmful content, control in-app purchases or manage how long your child spends online
- The filters can help control what time of day your child can go online, and to stop them from downloading apps they are too young for
Talk to your children
- Have regular conversations about what your child is doing online
- Explore sites and apps together
- Talk about what personal information they should share online
- Create a family agreement about what behaviour is appropriate when they are online
Do your research
- Check through websites your child will use through the
- Change privacy settings and turning off location sharing
If you need help now, you can phone experts on the free NSPCC & O2 helpline 0808 800 5002
Those who have manage to make contact are most likely “to be met with insults, implications that this person knows your personal information and most notably disturbing images I would not be able to show you here”.
The National Police of Spain have warned "it is better to ignore absurd challenges that come in the fashion in WhatsApp".
"Do not go into 'Momo'! If you record the number on your calendar, you will see a strange woman's face, it's the latest WhatsApp viral to come in vogue among teenagers,” the force said on Twitter.
The Blue Whale suicide game is believed to be a social media group which is encouraging people to kill themselves.
It's thought a group administrator assigns daily tasks to members, which they have to complete over 50 days.
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The horrific tasks include self-harming, watching horror movies and waking up at unusual hours, but these gradually get more extreme.
On the 50th day, the controlling manipulators behind the game reportedly instruct the youngsters to commit suicide.
The Sun Online has contacted WhatsApp for comment.
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