The bulging-eyed “Momo” character is originally a Japanese special effects sculpture called Mother Bird by Keisuke Aisawa.



Recently, the Momo Challenge is startling parents, but it may be nothing more than a hoax. The whole thing began when the artist posted a photo of the sculpture on Instagram. The sculpture became a sort of urban legend with Spanish speaking users. Pictures of the image being spread through the messaging app, WhatsApp.



Check out more on the meme including origins and usage on

KnowYourMeme.


The so-called challenge centers around being messaged by Momo and being given a series of increasingly dangerous and strange task. Often times culminating in suicide.  



Youtuber "RedSilverj" made a video "exposing the truth" behind the Momo Challenge.



YouTube confirmed that, contrary to press reports, it hasn’t seen any evidence of videos showing or promoting the “Momo challenge” on its platform. If the videos did exist, a spokesperson for YouTube said, they would be removed instantly for violating the platform’s policies.



All evidence suggests that no one has been harmed by it and although parents have been spreading warnings about it, they need to focus on better ways to teach their children online safety overall.

Momo appears to be a classic instance of a “moral panic,” wherein an imagined fear drives a frenzy of concern not based in reality.


It seems like the never-ending cycle of parents getting falsely worried about what their kids do online is doomed to repeat itself until the end of time. Let's hope next time the thing they're scared of is a little more wholesome because I just really hate looking at that things face.