Police are urging parents and guardians to talk to their children about safety online, after being made aware of inappropriate content which is being accessed by young people.
Chief Inspector Joanne Gibson told Belfast Live that the PSNI is aware of the cartoon character 'Huggy Wuggy' on internet sites and apps. The frightening figure is believed to be a monster from an adult horror game and is attracting children as young as four to become curious about what it is.
In a warning, Chief Inspector Gibson said Huggy Wuggy is not appropriate for a young audience. If children access this online, it's advised that they are spoken to about who to talk to if they become upset.
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SAMHI, Suicide Awareness and Mental Health Initiative also shared a warning on their Facebook page. There are reports that children have been recreating the character's behaviours on the playground.
The Safer Schools NI app offered tips on helping children in relation to Huggy Wuggy:
- If your child hasn’t mentioned Huggy Wuggy or Poppy Playtime, don’t name it. You may pique their curiosity which in turn could lead to them searching out the content for themselves on platforms they might have access to.
- If you hear a child in your care mention Huggy Wuggy, pause and remain calm. It could be that they have overheard conversation about in school or online, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have viewed content or have a full understanding of who Huggy Wuggy is.
- Ask them about the content they enjoy watching online, and if anything they’ve seen has ever made them or their friends upset or scared.
- If they have seen anything upsetting, reassure them that they are safe. It’s important children know they can come and speak to you without fear of judgement. If necessary, ask them to show you the video or game, and follow appropriate reporting procedures if you are concerned.
- If you see content on social media or in the news regarding Huggy Wuggy or Poppy Playtime, think before you share it publicly. It may be more helpful to share a credible article with practical advice privately, e.g. through private messaging.
"We are aware there is a cartoon character on various internet sites called Huggy Wuggy," police continued.
"This character sings menacing songs and acts in a way which is not in any way appropriate for a young audience. I’d urge parents and guardians to continue to talk to their children and young people about being safe online, while also ensuring they are fully aware of what they are viewing.
"It’s important to make your child aware of online dangers and make sure they know they can speak to someone if anything or anyone online causes them concern or upsets them."
For more information or guidance, please visit the Safer Schools NI website here.
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