Combating the Hysteria of the Momo Challenge

The Momo challenge is the latest hysteria to affect the internet mom world. 

In it a character named Momo reportedly breaks in mid-video to Peppa Pig and Fortnight videos on Youtube. Kids are then told to do violent things escalating to suicide. Alternatively, they are encouraged to text an anonymous WhatsApp number (in case you are unaware Whatsapp is a texting app that works over wifi usually on an old iPod or iPhone). The rumor is that once a kid texts this number, they begin receiving violent dares and subsequent threats if they refuse to carry out the dares.  It is reported that some kids have even committed suicide because of “Momo.” (MSN has a great video explaining it). Local and national news have been reporting on it.

Still others report that Momo is a hoax. At the very least I am convinced it is unconfirmed. I did some quick searching on Youtube and didn’t run into it anywhere obvious.  My research was far from comprehensive and I am alright with that. I am convinced in the world we live in there will be an evolving list of threats to my kids safety and well-being.  I cannot possibly be thoroughly educated about them all.  But, as a responsible parent, I need to do something. 

How do I deal with the constant hysteria?

This kind of threat cuts to the core of our fears as parents. The idea that because of some small moment we didn’t watch our child they might end up dying. Yes, this train of thought is exactly what all my most fantastical heart-pounding, terrifying thoughts as a mother encompass.  In my years of parenting, it is the most common mode of freaking out that I employ. The story goes like this:

A: I must do everything perfectly as a mother.  

B: When I inevitably don’t do everything perfectly I will irrevocably mess up my child.  

A+B= Conclusion: I must control everything in their world and allow them and myself to take as little risk as possible.

May I speak to the hysteria for a moment?  

Your kids will do dangerous things. You will make mistakes. You can’t possibly monitor them every second. But when you hear of potential credible threats, you must act to prevent it. You need to educate them, have the hard conversations, and put some boundaries in place.

Momo Challenge on Youtube

What boundaries can I place on internet browsing to keep my kids safe?


1.Require your kids watch media in a public room of the house. 

As long as you can keep televisions and computers in a public space in the house, it will provide a subtle measure of accountability. If that isn’t an option, check in on them from time to time.  

2. Find out if they have seen Momo.

For this challenge, show or describe (depending on the age) your kids the Momo character and ask if they have seen it. Have a conversation with them about how Momo isn’t real and if someone threatens them you are always willing to get involved. They never have to fear for your safety or try to protect you.  Mom can handle the bad people in the world.

While you are having this discussion, help your kids understand that there is bad offensive and questionable content on the internet. If they see something that makes them uncomfortable, they can always tell you.  Make yourself a judgement and outrage/disgust free zone.

3. Install common sense technology filters.  

In this article (PC MAG top technology filters of 2019) some technology experts review the different internet filtering technologies out there. There is a comprehensive chart I really like that will help you pick out tech that works for you.

For the time being, I will make sure my precious beans don’t watch Peppa Pig on Youtube too, but that is just because I can’t fully get myself talked out of the hysteria. I may also be a little more vigilant for a season.

Have the conversation with your kids. Be brave. Do what you can and trust the rest to your creator.

You don’t run the world and that’s okay.

jenniferboll
Jenny is a fifth generation Nebraskan. She is a true city girl and has lived in Omaha for 15 years of her life! She loves meeting new people and having real conversations. In her day job, she leads a Christian ministry -where she helps college students develop a meaningful relationship with Jesus. She has been married for over a decade and her husband and her have two amazing girls. In her free time, you will find Jenny navigating the new world of being a school mom, exploring area parks and trying to show up for people in a non-judgmental way (there may also be some reality tv involved).

1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks for writing this post! Once I learned of the Momo Challenge, I sat with my sons – who, really, are too young to truly understand what sinister actions this whole thing entails – and we talked about seeing scary things and feeling uncomfortable. No more KidsTube on their ipads – but they can watch YouTube with Mom and Dad. And if they are scared, they can totally come to me or their dad.
    My oldest son said, “It’s okay, Mom (that we don’t have KidsTube). These people must have been pretty bad for you to take it off the pad.”

    He’s about to be 5 in April.

    When we take the time to really talk to our kidlets, I think we’d be surprised how able they are in comprehending…

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