Head ups parents momo suicide game is back (UP: Appears to be a hoax, see threadmark)

[Pellaidh]

Since we've already established this is a hoax, here's another article from The Guardian talking about how thrashy clickbait reporting like this can actually be legitimately harmful.

But the Samaritans and the NSPCC have dismissed the claims, saying that while there is no evidence that 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.

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A Samaritans spokesperson was similarly sceptical, saying: "These stories being highly publicised and starting a panic means vulnerable people get to know about it and that creates a risk." They recommended media outlets read their guidelines on reporting suicide and suggested press coverage is "raising the risk of harm".

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Suicide, and particularly suicide among children, is a big problem, but it's one that needs to be tackled responsibly. Particularly by the media. Not exploited for profits with complete disregard for the people who are suffering. Like the article and the linked guidelines above say, good, responsible reporting can actually help people, while thrash reporting does the opposite.


As an aside, I'd love to see the media responsibly tackle actual causes of child suicide with such fervor as they did with this story. You know, things like homophobia, racism, bullying, sexual assaults, and mental health. But I guess it's much easier to just blame the problem on some imaginary internet bogyman than to actually try and help people and improve society.