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Sick New WhatsApp Game 'Encouraging Young People To Commit Suicide'

Sick New WhatsApp Game 'Encouraging Young People To Commit Suicide'

The game which goes by the name of Mono is thought to be the next Blue Whale.

Emma Rosemurgey

Emma Rosemurgey

Parents are being warned over a sick WhatsApp game that's thought to be encouraging young people to commit suicide.

The disturbing 'game' called Momo has been branded the new Blue Whale - a sick game linked to the death of at least 130 teens in Russia.

Momo begins when a creepy controller sends violent images to the victim on WhatsApp before threatening the 'player' unless they follow orders.

The face of Momo is the image of a terrifying looking woman with bulging eyes taken from artwork by Japanese artist Midori Hayashi, who is not in any way linked to the game.

Police in Argentina are investing the suicide of a 12-year-old girl whose death is thought to be linked to the Momo game.

The girl, from the town of IngenieroMaschwitz near Buenos Aires, filmed a video on her phone shortly before she died, according to reports in the Buenos Aires Times.

Police have reason to believe that someone encouraged her to take her own life and are investigating an 18-year-old believed to be in contact with the girl.

PA Images

In a statement, the police said: "The phone has been hacked to find footage and WhatsApp chats, and now the alleged adolescent with whom she exchanged those messages is being sought."

They went on to say that they believe the unidentified teenager's intention was to upload the video to social media as part of a challenge, crediting Momo for her suicide.

Warnings have been issued in Mexico where young people are thought to be at risk of being targeted by the sick individuals behind the so-called game.

The Computer Crime Unit of Tabasco said: "The risk of this challenge among young people and minors is that criminals can use it to steal personal information, incite suicide or violence, harass, extort and generate physical and psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression and insomnia."

During the height of the Blue Whale phenomenon, the NSPCC issued a statement to say that children should not feel pressured into doing anything that makes them feel unsafe.

A spokesperson said: "Children can find it difficult to stand up to peer pressure but they must know it's perfectly okay to refuse to take part in crazes that make them feel unsafe or scared.

"Parents should talk with their children and emphasise that they can make their own choices and discuss ways of how to say no.

"Reassuring a child that they can still be accepted even if they don't go along with the crowd will help stop them doing something that could hurt them or make them uncomfortable."

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: Life News, Real