A growing number of young Chinese are adopting the online screen name “MoMo” and an identical profile picture – a pink cartoon dinosaur – in a bid to protect their privacy and speak more freely online.
On popular platforms such as Douyin, Xiaohongshu and Douban, there are countless “MoMos” with the same name and stripped-down profile, creating the illusion of a single, unified persona. The dinosaur, a South Korean character named MOMOLO, was first licensed to WeChat, where it became a popular emoji set in the platform’s early days.
Under the MoMo handle, users feel more comfortable criticizing celebrities without fear of cyberbullying from devoted fans and expressing their views on various social issues. For many, adopting the MoMo identity represents not the loss of individuality but a novel form of self-expression – a way to reveal their true thoughts and feelings without scrutiny or retribution.
However, the rise of MoMo culture also comes with challenges. Anonymity can sometimes enable harmful behavior. Under the guise of MoMo, some users may spread rumors, engage in internet fraud or participate in cyberbullying. These darker aspects of anonymity highlight the potential risks of this trend, even as it empowers many to share their voices more freely.
Old Version
