Momo challenge is a ‘YouTube conspiracy to distract us from secret paedo ring on app’, crackpot theorists claim
Some cranks think the Momo challenge was spread by US politicians
NUTTY conspiracy theorists are at it again – and now they're claiming the Momo challenge was all part of a YouTube ploy to distract users from its appalling paedo problem.
The challenge reportedly had sick YouTube pranksters splice a disturbing image of a Japanese "suicide puppet"; into otherwise innocent videos aimed at kids.
Clips featured instructions enticing children to perform a series of dangerous tasks including self-harm and suicide, according to reports.
Now imaginative online commenters suggest YouTube spread the rumours to distract from its struggles to police paedophilia on the site.
The site has recently grappled with accusations that it was allowing "paedo rings" to sexualise videos of young girls on the site.
A vlogger found that paedos were leaving comments on the clips that showed other sickos to parts where children were most exposed – such as performing gymnastics or leaning up against a mirror.
Is the Momo Challenge a hoax?
THE Momo Challenge is believed to have originated in South America.
The creepy face of a Japanese sculpture was hijacked and spread on WhatsApp - reportedly with instructions enticing children to perform a series of dangerous tasks including self-harm and suicide.
In recent days police and schools have issued warnings about the challenge arriving in the UK and a number of parents have said their children have been exposed to it.
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom even told MPs the Government is "extremely concerned" about it.
But confusingly UK charities and internet experts have suggested the challenge is a hoax.
The Samaritans and the NSPCC said there is no confirmed evidence anyone has come to physical harm.
And YouTube claimed: "We have found no evidence of videos showing or promoting the Momo challenge on YouTube."
While it appears the challenge itself may not have reached Britain, sick copycats have been traumatising children by splicing a ghoulish video of a bug-eyed girl into Peppa Pig cartoons and Fortnite gameplay footage.
Advertisers have begun to pull out of deals with YouTube, whose algorithms were found to recommend more videos of young girls to users involved in the "soft-core paedo rings".
Following last week's Momo scandal, crackpot Reddit users flocked to one of the site's leading conspiracy theory forums.
One wrote: "The coincidence or convenience of this momo issue that suddenly came out of nowhere is uncanny.
"I think its a distraction made by either google or youtube to deflect/confuse the public from the negative attention.
"After YouTube got unwanted heat, this momo issue suddenly came out with the same controversial foundation, but is less damaging to YouTube's reputation.
Another said: "It feels like it completely replaced the genuine outrage over the more serious stuff that was happening last week."
But the online oddballs didn't stop there.
Some claimed the Momo challenge was actually spread by US politicians.
One Reddit nutjob wrote: "The left wants to sensor the internet and charge people for certain site packages. Like for Facebook, instagram and YouTube might be one package for $15/month.
"By doing the momo challenge, it further pushes their agenda because people will want stricter internet regulations."
Their mad theory was echoed by other cranks.
One said: "If they can create a huge deal out of this and put children in harms way, they can convince us that censorship and controls on the internet will be necessary to stop these types of things."
The Momo challenge scandal surfaced last week.
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 NO 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
Police and schools issued warnings about the challenge arriving in the UK and a number of parents claimed their children were exposed to it.
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom even told MPs the Government is "extremely concerned" about it.
But confusingly UK charities and internet experts have suggested the challenge is a hoax.The Samaritans and the NSPCC said there is no confirmed evidence anyone has come to physical harm.
And YouTube said: "We have found no evidence of videos showing or promoting the Momo challenge on YouTube."
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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
To contact , you can call the helpline on 0808 800 5000 or children under 18 can call 0800 1111