Following a flurry of scare stories, some schools have warned parents about the “momo challenge” – but fact-checkers say it is a hoax.
The original tale said a character with bulging eyes would “hack” into WhatsApp and set children dangerous “challenges” such as harming themselves.
Charities say there have been no reports of anybody being “hacked” or harming themselves as a result.
But the image is now being shared on social media to frighten children.
It has been found edited into unofficial copies of children’s cartoons such as Peppa Pig on YouTube.
“News coverage of the momo challenge is prompting schools or the police to warn about the supposed risks posed by the momo challenge, which has, in turn, produced more news stories warning about the challenge,” One reporter said.