The last couple of days have seen a media furore over ‘Momo’. It’s supposedly a picture of a hideous face with bulging eyes and a spooky grin that apparently pops up whilst children are watching things like Peppa Pig on YouTube and encourages them to harm themselves or worse, and keep it secret. If true, this is potentially scary stuff, but minimal evidence has been found that validates its authenticity and most articles and charities such as the NSPCC are saying it’s a hoax.
Either way, the real story is one about panic and the speed at which panic is whipped up and spread by the media and also by parents who are understandably terrified of serious harm befalling their children. The old adage that no news is good news is as true today as it ever was. The absence of evidence supporting that Momo is a ‘suicide game’ is good news, but even the suggestion of its existence becomes news – potentially fake news. Panic spreads faster than anything else and frequently in the guise of protection. Aiming to warn anyone with children or who has contact with children to be vigilant as they are in danger seems thoughtful, caring and protective, but actually what happens is the opposite. Terror ensues and suddenly everyone is talking about it, warning their friends and their childrens’ friends and parents and the story spreads like a wild fire, whipped up by the oxygen it is given every time it’s spoken about.
Panic prevents thought. It leads people to make rash decisions based on an emotional response of fear rather than reason. People overreact to a perceived threat and make increasingly extreme, knee jerk decisions. Discussions occur about banning YouTube from children or standing over their shoulders whilst they are online. In hushed voices parents question how explicit or transparent they can be with their kids. Will showing the image terrify or damage them? Will it lead to trouble in the playground? Suddenly self-harm and suicide are discussed in hushed voices so that children can’t hear, but of course they do and this increases their exposure to these issues, which is potentially harmful.
As Al Gore said, “the internet is like a super highway of information”. It is, and just like on a superhighway with cars, it brings amazing and fast movement but also dangers. Just as we teach road safety from a young age and don’t allow children to walk down the street or cross the road without holding hands until they understand the dangers, have practiced crossing smaller roads and are ready for the additional responsibility so we should teach our children about the internet and internet safety from a young age. If they are not old enough or ready to understand some of the dangers then don’t leave them alone online. As long as we teach them from a young age, bit by bit then when a scare story like Momo appears we do not need to panic or over-react. We just have to mention there’s a new game or app or image that’s a concern and remind them what to do.