TikTok survey finds ‘hoax challenges’ are scaring teens. What’s being done?

Rumours about hoax challenges like 'Momo' are scaring teens who are using TikTok, according to a new survey. Now the app is promising to ramp up its user safety resources.

TikTok is vowing to step up its resources for users who get caught up in frightening hoaxes on the app, after a new report found fewer than a third of teens recognize these hoaxes as “clearly fake.”

The report, which TikTok commissioned and supported, also found that while many teens are distressed by the scary hoaxes they see on the app, less than half are seeking out help afterward.

The hoaxes vary, but a common one includes seemingly baseless warnings about a wide-eyed, dark-haired woman known as “Momo” who threatens users who don’t do the violent tasks she demands of them. Another is based on a rumour about a 50-step challenge that starts innocuously, but ramps up to the final task — challenging users to commit suicide.

In response, TikTok says it plans to ramp up its monitoring efforts, Safety Centre resources, and its warning prompts for users.

The report found that of the teens who were exposed to hoax challenges, 31 per cent believed it had a negative impact on them. Of those who experienced this negative impact, 63 per cent said the hoax affected their mental health.

Still, just 46 per cent of teens have sought support and advice afterward, according to the new report.

The findings were released on Wednesday in a report titled Exploring effective prevention education responses to dangerous online challenges. For the report, TikTok hired brand consultancy firm The Value Engineers (TVE) to conduct an online survey of 10,000 teens aged 13 to 19, parents and teachers from around the world about their experiences with online challenges and hoaxes.

No margin of error was provided for the survey results.