|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
 |
Prevention Action Alliance
Know!
Momo and her Deadly Challenge to our Youth
In the past, Prevention Action Alliance shared information on a
dangerous internet game called the Blue Whale Challenge. It involves
acts of self-harm and ultimately, to win the game is to take one’s own
life. (Click here for the full Know! Tip on the Blue Whale Challenge).
Another similar game is now trending throughout social media and is
said to be impacting lives in multiple countries around the world – it
is called the Momo Challenge. Just like the Blue Whale Challenge, there
is a game administrator that lures a victim into participating in
challenges that include self-harm, with the endgame being suicide.
In this challenge, the leader’s name is Momo and her avatar is a
scary-looking woman with dark, scraggly hair, bulging eyes and a giant,
creepy smile. Momo is known to hack into users’ cell phones. Those who
engage with her are then sent disturbing and graphic photos, and are
made to perform acts of self-harm, including suicide, or face the
consequences of having their secrets and private information shared
online.
Some are calling it an internet hoax, while others claim it is linked
to teen deaths in their perspective countries. Currently, no teen
deaths have been officially connected to this so-called “game” in the
U.S. However, there is apparently enough merit to it that U.S. law
enforcement agencies have begun issuing warnings for parents to talk
with their children about the deadly risks of partaking in this
challenge – should they be contacted by “Momo.”
We spoke with suicide prevention experts Shawna Hite-Jones and Austin
Lucas from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation to ask about this
potentially deadly game and find out what information we should be
sharing with the young people in our lives on this topic.
Q. What are your thoughts on the Momo Challenge? And do you see this
being a teachable moment for our youth?
A. It absolutely is a teachable moment whether we are looking at it as
a hoax or not. There have been some cases linked to it (Momo
Challenge), but not definitively in terms of suicide deaths. It is
trending in news media as well as social media, so it is important for
us to use the opportunity to have some positive conversation with the
youth in our lives, whether you’re a parent or you work with youth.
It’s not that we need to get into depth about the game and its content,
but really using it as an opportunity to say to them, “If you’re ever
struggling or having thoughts of self-harm, know you’re not the only
youth that has had those thoughts. No matter the circumstance, we want
you to tell us, and we want to know because there is help out there.”
It’s about using it as an opportunity to talk about what mental health
is, what self-harm is, making sure they know you really care, and
letting them know that they can come to you if they are ever struggling.
Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among youth and young
adults ages 12-24, second only to accidental death; and for every
suicide, there are 100-200 suicide attempts. This is a vital topic we
must be discussing, and revisiting regularly, with our youth.
In the tip to follow, we continue the conversation with experts from
the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation to learn about the risk and
protective factors of suicide, who may be at greater risk, and the
warning signs to look out for.
In the meantime, if you feel your child is considering self-harm or
experiencing suicidal thoughts, please connect with the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or go to
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ for information or to chat
online with a professional. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and
confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis
resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for
professionals.
|
|
|
|
