Children's videos on YouTube: the new hook for macabre jokes?

The news of the return of Momo – this sinister character who invites the little ones to dangerous challenges through WhatsApp – has been the subject of discussion and concern in several groups of parents in the region. Now, while the agitation of many older people is still dispelled by these virtual challenges that are becoming viral at the speed of lightning and whose children are the main victims, more and more people are warning the scabrous images and in bad taste – from the horrible face of Momo suddenly appearing to a badgraphic image – are filtered by several users in the middle of videos for children for children under five or six years.

So, until recently, it was nothing more than a WhatsApp chain where every person decided to pay attention or ignore it, now that terrifying face – mix of sinister muppet and Japanese horror character – would be filtered amid Peppa Pig and Fortnite videos on the YouTube platform. In addition, some parents in the region have even denounced the fact that, in children's videos, such as the songs of Piñón Fijo, appears the disfigured face of Linda Blair, the famous actress of The Exorcist, or even images of 39, men and women naked. .

The children's content starts "innocently" as any ordinary episode of Peppa Pig or the drawing of another child, but after a few minutes – usually half of the video and without anybody getting caught. There he waits – he becomes a modified version with violence and offensive language, where obscene scenes appear or, as in other parts of the world, the character of Momo appears and causes him to hurt himself.

"Hi, I'm Momo, your worst nightmare, I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you, at night I'll be in your bed and in the morning you'll be dead, you want a surprise, look at my eyes, I'm not lying to you you will die, cut your leg and you will never find me again.Cut your wrist and your family will never see me.Happy little dreams, "says the terrifying figure in a video of Peppa Pig, to mention one many examples these days are on the web.

Although the video platform stated that there was no solid evidence that "Momo" is present among his videos, in several schools in other countries, such as Spain or England, his authorities have already filed suit and several parents have expressed concern. for the content your kids see on the web.

"We are increasingly aware of the existence of inappropriate videos that go online and are watched by kids, and they appear on many social media and YouTube (including Kids YouTube)." One of the videos begins with beginning of an episode of Peppa Pig, which turns into a version altered with violence ", they warn of the school Haslingden of Rossendale.

As is known, the popularity of this online video platform has increased dramatically in recent years and many parents are currently using it as an alternative to traditional children's television, since it figures in a large number popular videos for children.

However, according to those who study the subject, "there is a 45% chance that a young child who follows YouTube's recommendations finds an inappropriate video in 10 clicks".

In addition, researchers add that this happens "even if you start with a video listed in the top ten results of a search for appropriate keywords for young children (eg, Peppa Pig)". In other words, a parent who searches YouTube for simple keywords related to the content of young children may end up exposing their child to a considerable number of videos containing violence, scenes of fear or badual connotations.