TikTok survey finds ‘hoax challenges’ are scaring teens. What’s being done?
Global News
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.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Loblaw said it decided to delist all Folgers products after talks with the coffee maker's manufacturer couldn't solve the impasse.
David McGuinty said the federal government will have more to say "very soon" about its alliance spending commitments and will be "making announcements in this regard."
The Canadian Steel Producers Association and union group leaders are meeting with the federal government in Ottawa on Thursday to discuss the latest tariff escalation by the U.S.
Low German-speaking Mennonites face language, trust barriers amid Ontario’s largest measles outbreak in decades, as health workers push to bridge the gap.
Halifax Search and Rescue is warning against fraudsters impersonating their group who claim they'll use donated cash to search for two missing children.
With wildfire smoke looming over Ontario, Environment Canada has issued air quality watches and statements for a large portion of the province.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the remains of Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai were recovered and returned to Israel in a special operation.
Montreal is hoping to redeem itself during the upcoming Grand Prix weekend after last year's event became a source of embarrassment.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, made his allegiance to the home team clear when he stopped at Rogers Place to skate with the Oilers in March.
'When you have nothing to offer Albertans at the ballot box, maybe that's their idea - avoid accountability and dodge democracy,' said party leader Cameron Davies.
Numerous first responders from police, fire and ambulance initially attended with the support of the Canadian Coast Guard divers to attempt a rescue.
Marc Garneau, who served as a federal cabinet minister after becoming the first Canadian to go to space, has died at the age of 76.
Critics and advocacy groups are calling the wide-ranging border security legislation a threat to civil liberties in the immigration and asylum system.