News

Actions

Parents warned of 'Momo Challenge' on WhatsApp linked to suicide

Posted at 12:22 PM, Aug 09, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-09 14:06:09-04

Parents across the globe are being warned of a new challenge, called the "Momo Challenge," on WhatsApp that has been linked to suicide.

According to The Sun, the game has been linked to the United States, Mexico, Argentina, France and Germany.

The Sun reports that the chilling image being used in the challenge is from Japanese artist Midori Hayashi, but he is not associated with the challenge in any way. It features a woman with bulging eyes and a wide mouth.

According to the Independent, the image became popular and gained its current meaning on the "creepy" subreddit, saying the Momo has its own WhatsApp account.

The Sun reports that the game is being blamed for the death of a 12-year-old girl in Argentina. 

The Computer Crime Investigation Unit in Mexico put out a warning about the challenge, advising people to avoid talking to strangers on the app.

Around this time last year, parents were warned of the "Blue Whale Challenge" which ended in suicide for kids.