Remember the panic? The terrifying headlines about a "suicide game" hunting for teens through their phones? It’s time to talk about the monster that wasn't there. Get ready to question everything you thought you knew about the Blue Whale Challenge and the creepy Momo Challenge. Was this a genuine, viral threat pushing kids toward self-harm, or were we all victims of a massive internet hoax? This podcast rips back the curtain on one of the biggest digital-age moral panics, tracing the story from its sensationalized origins in Russian media to the global hysteria that followed. We'll explore how platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok become echo chambers for misinformation, turning a debunked story into a worldwide online scare. We'll dissect the evidence (or lack thereof) and expose how the frenzy over these fake online challenges dangerously overshadowed the very real crisis of teen mental health. This isn't just a story about a hoax; it's about our own fears, the power of fake news, and why learning digital media literacy is no longer optional. We’re separating fact from fear to uncover the truth behind the hysteria. If you’re ready to become a smarter, more critical thinker in this digital world, hit that follow button and share this episode. The next moral panic is just a click away—let’s be ready for it.

Discover how social media distorts reality, harms mental health, and why decentralised networks like ActivityPub and NOSTA offer a healthier online future.