Limerick mother warns parents over 'creepy' Momo cyberbullying game

A LIMERICK mother has warned parents of the “creepy” Momo cyberbullying game after her toddler was told to “go turn on the oven and leave it on” while watching videos on her tablet.

The Momo game, also known as the Momo challenge, is a globally controversial social media that targets young children and vulnerable people, and sometimes instructs them to carry out dangerous tasks, including self-harm.

Even though there has yet to be a major incident reported in Ireland, gardai and PSNI have warned parents to be extra vigilant over the game.

John Street mum Denise Daly told the Limerick Leader this Tuesday that her three-year-old daughter was targeted.

Ms Daly said that she was watching videos online and “up pops this [Momo] saying: ‘Where is your mammy and daddy, go turn on the oven and leave it on and don’t tell anyone.’ I think it’s very creepy and it’s worrying to even let kids on this.”

When asked if her daughter was frightened of the incident, she said: “She is. She said: ‘The scary woman is on my tablet, mommy’ and flung it away.

“It’s horrible, my son is 10 and very hard to manage. I don’t want this to come to his attention because he would do everything she’s telling him to. Anything could happen our kids over this. So worrying,” she said, adding that a number of parents are discussing it on social media.

It is understood there has been a world-wide crackdown on the game, which has been removed from various websites and apps. 

For more information on digital and online safety and security for young children, visit CyberSafeIreland.