Growing speculation suggests the story is a hoax
After announcing plans to gather experts to discuss ways of addressing potential online threats, such as the viral “Momo Challenge,” which targets young children and encourages them to engage in dangerous activities, including committing suicide, Aangat Tayo partylist Rep. Neil Abayon believes there is a way to stop its dissemination.
“Maybe software developers can create a sort of antivirus that will ‘search and destroy’ all ‘Momo’ pictures and videos,” he suggested. “Maybe software developers can deploy a mobile app and pc software parents can install into their kids’ computers and cellphones for defense to block such kind of malware and cyberspace content.”
He earlier suggested updating RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and RA 10627, the Anti-Bullying Act, noting, “Suicide games and bullying on social media are not among the prohibited acts and punishable offenses.”
However, he also believes RA 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, can help with the current issue.
“If the software of suicide games and pornographic memes target people because of their age or sexual life and that targeting method uses personal information or invades personal accounts using that personal information, I believe RA 10173 can be used to protect netizens,” Abayon explained.
He added, the law would permit the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Privacy Commission, Philippine National Police, and National Bureau of Investigation to shut down sites spreading such content.
While the congressman, along with the Bacolod City Police Office, addressing the “Momo Challenge” issue, there is also growing speculation the entire thing is a hoax.
English publication The Guardian recently reported the UK Safer Internet Centre, which provides advice for keeping the internet safe for children, called the matter “fake news.” In addition, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children stated, “There is no evidence the ‘Momo Challenge’ has initially caused any harm itself, the ensuing media hysteria could now be putting vulnerable people at risk by encouraging them to think of self-harm.”
A recent article in American magazine The Atlantic cited a spokesperson from YouTube, who said they have not seen any videos showing or promoting the “Momo Challenge” on their site.
The article also noted, “There have been zero corroborated reports of any child ever taking his or her own life after participating in this phony challenge.”
It was earlier reported, according to a piece from Yahoo News, Northumbria University cyberpsychologist, Dr. Dawn Branley-Bell, is quoted as saying the entire thing is an urban legend or an online hoax.
“This is the latest ‘hot topic,’ which is spreading like wildfire due to its sensationalist nature and is causing a lot of parents to be unnecessarily worried,” she said./WDJ
