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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Mums issue stark warning about ‘dark Peppa Pig' videos going viral on YouTube set out to target and terrify your kids
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PARENTS have issued a stark warning about 'dark Peppa Pig' videos that are going viral online. The famous cartoon pig is adored and often watched on YouTube by many young children around the country, but now depraved creators are taking advantage of Peppa Pig's popularity and creating harmful versions of the iconic show. 6 Parents have issued an urgent warning about 'dark Peppa Pig' videos that are going viral on YouTube Credit: YouTube 6 While two horrifying clips have been removed from the platform, others show the iconic characters holding guns Credit: YouTube 6 One clip showed Mummy Pig making Peppa Pig into a pancake Credit: YouTube The horror videos, which are set to target and terrify young children, have racked up millions of views on the video sharing platform. Pranksters have used genuine Peppa Pig episodes and re-dubbed sections of them to include shameful content. Numerous clips showed the iconic character and her family holding machine guns. Another saw the family cooking Peppa Pig in a pancake and eating her. Meanwhile, as reported by the Daily Mail, another twisted video showed the cartoon pig snorting cocaine. A YouTube spokesperson has since confirmed that two viral clips have been taken down, but there are still numerous videos floating around that millions of children may have been exposed to them. A spokesperson told the Mirror: 'We've removed both videos from YouTube and terminated a channel for violating our child safety policies, which we rigorously enforce.' Such 'Dark Peppa Pig' videos first came to light in 2017, when an investigation by the BBC found hundreds of harmful clips on YouTube which appeared to be episodes of Peppa Pig but were actually terrifying content targeted at children. In 2018, a mother from Melbourne, named Moonee Ponds, was taking a conference call while her daughter watched Peppa Pig online, but she soon noticed something wasn't right when she noticed the absence of the cartoon character's voice. As she checked on her daughter, she was stunned to find footage of a kneeling man about to be beheaded, hitting the power button seconds from the gruesome act playing out, The Advertiser reported. Four ways to keep kids safe on YouTube Fortunately, Moonee was able to protect her daughter from the horrifying clip, but wanted other mothers to know the 'kids' function on YouTube did not guarantee cyber safety. Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Safety Angus Taylor has since called on social media companies to be more vigilant with its policing of content. Keeping kids safe on YouTube RESTRICTED Mode is an optional setting on YouTube that helps filter out mature videos. It's not perfect, but it's a good way of scrubbing out a large portion of the adult material on YouTube. However, you have to turn it off manually for each browser or device your child is using – it can't simply be applied at account level. On your computer, go to the account icon – a little person icon in the top right corner of your screen. Click Restricted Mode, then use the toggle button to turn it on. On the Android phone app or mobile site, tap the menu icon, which looks like three vertical dots. Then go to Settings > General and turn Restricted Mode on. On Android TV, go to the Home screen then scroll down to the Apps row. Select YouTube, then scroll down and select Settings. Choose Restricted Mode or Safety Mode, then select Enabled. On the iOS app (for iPhones or iPad), tap the account icon in the top right. Tap Settings then Restricted Mode Filtering, then choose Strict: Restricted Mode On. On the iOS mobile site, tap the menu icon, which looks like a three-dot column. Tap Settings then tap Restricted Mode to turn it on or off. Minister Taylor said: 'I am aware of these types of cases. Social media companies absolutely have a responsibility to do more.' Meanwhile, a spokeswoman shared: 'All versions of the YouTube Kids app use filters powered by algorithms to select videos from YouTube. 'We continually work hard to make our algorithms as accurate as possible in order to provide a safer version of YouTube.' As well as this, Cyber Cop's Susan McClean suggested parents could protect their kids by boycotting internet streaming services and instead using DVDs or VCR. Joe Pritchard's Peppa Pig horror Meanwhile, a dad-of-two previously expressed outrage after his son started watching an explicit fake version of Peppa Pig while browsing YouTube. The seemingly innocent video started as any normal tale involving Peppa, George and her parents, but the content soon changed with references to a paedophile dentist, which was of course not included in the original version. Joe Pritchard, 25, from Cornwall, let his three-year-old son watch some genuine Peppa Pig videos on the internet. He told MailOnline: 'Jack is three and is in the process of being tested for autism, and we've found that if he watches a show for 15 minutes on the phone it calms him down and helps him relax.' If a slightly older child saw this, it could be traumatising. There is nothing to warn people that the content is graphic Joe Pritchard Mr Pritchard said he asked Jack about the episode he was watching and was disgusted when he realised the content of the video, as he recalled: 'My partner went to the kitchen when she heard the language and turned it off immediately. 'Some of them have Peppa Pig getting killed. We had to warn the nursery that he had seen this in case he repeated something. 'If a slightly older child saw this, it could be traumatising. There is nothing to warn people that the content is graphic. 'I think there should be more control on the internet. 'Now we're not going to be able to let him watch things on the mobile anymore. It's going to make our lives ten times harder now and it's a shame because he enjoyed it.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 6 The dark clips are terrifying kids and racking up millions of views on YouTube Credit: YouTube 6 One clip, which has since been removed, showed the cartoon pig snorting cocaine Credit: YouTube
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Mums issue stark warning about ‘dark Peppa Pig' videos going viral on YouTube set out to target and terrify your kids
PARENTS have issued a stark warning about 'dark Peppa Pig' videos that are going viral online. The famous cartoon pig is adored and often watched on YouTube by many young children around the country, but now depraved creators are taking advantage of Peppa Pig's popularity and creating harmful versions of the iconic show. Advertisement 6 Parents have issued an urgent warning about 'dark Peppa Pig' videos that are going viral on YouTube Credit: YouTube 6 While two horrifying clips have been removed from the platform, others show the iconic characters holding guns Credit: YouTube 6 One clip showed Mummy Pig making Peppa Pig into a pancake Credit: YouTube The horror videos, which are set to target and terrify young children, have racked up millions of views on the video sharing platform. Pranksters have used genuine Peppa Pig episodes and re-dubbed sections of them to include shameful content. Numerous clips showed the iconic character and her family holding machine guns. Another saw the family cooking Peppa Pig in a pancake and eating her. Advertisement Read more parenting stories Meanwhile, as reported by the A YouTube spokesperson has since confirmed that two viral clips have been taken down, but there are still numerous videos floating around that millions of children may have been exposed to them. A spokesperson told Such 'Dark Peppa Pig' videos first came to light in 2017, when an investigation by the BBC found hundreds of harmful clips on YouTube which appeared to be episodes of Peppa Pig but were actually terrifying content targeted at children. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous In 2018, a mother from Melbourne, named Moonee Ponds, was taking a conference call while her daughter watched Peppa Pig online, but she soon noticed something wasn't right when she noticed the absence of the cartoon character's voice. As she checked on her daughter, she was stunned to find footage of a kneeling man about to be beheaded, hitting the power button seconds from the gruesome act playing out, Four ways to keep kids safe on YouTube Fortunately, Moonee was able to protect her daughter from the horrifying clip, but wanted other mothers to know the Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Safety Angus Taylor has since called on social media companies to be more vigilant with its policing of content. Advertisement Keeping kids safe on YouTube RESTRICTED Mode is an optional setting on YouTube that helps filter out mature videos. It's not perfect, but it's a good way of scrubbing out a large portion of the adult material on YouTube. However, you have to turn it off manually for each browser or device your child is using – it can't simply be applied at account level. On your computer , go to the account icon – a little person icon in the top right corner of your screen. Click Restricted Mode, then use the toggle button to turn it on. On the Android phone app or mobile site , tap the menu icon, which looks like three vertical dots. Then go to Settings > General and turn Restricted Mode on. On Android TV , go to the Home screen then scroll down to the Apps row. Select YouTube, then scroll down and select Settings. Choose Restricted Mode or Safety Mode, then select Enabled. On the iOS app (for iPhones or iPad), tap the account icon in the top right. Tap Settings then Restricted Mode Filtering, then choose Strict: Restricted Mode On. On the iOS mobile site , tap the menu icon, which looks like a three-dot column. Tap Settings then tap Restricted Mode to turn it on or off. Minister Taylor said: 'I am aware of these types of cases. Social media companies absolutely have a responsibility to do more.' Meanwhile, a spokeswoman shared: 'All versions of the 'We continually work hard to make our algorithms as accurate as possible in order to provide a safer version of YouTube.' As well as this, Cyber Cop's Susan McClean suggested parents could protect their kids by boycotting internet streaming services and instead using DVDs or VCR. Advertisement Joe Pritchard's Peppa Pig horror Meanwhile, a dad-of-two previously expressed outrage after his son started watching an explicit fake version of Peppa Pig while browsing YouTube. The seemingly innocent video started as any normal tale involving Peppa, George and her parents, but the content soon changed with references to a paedophile dentist, which was of course not included in the original version. Joe Pritchard, 25, from Cornwall, let his three-year-old son watch some genuine Peppa Pig videos on the internet. He told Advertisement If a slightly older child saw this, it could be traumatising. There is nothing to warn people that the content is graphic Joe Pritchard Mr Pritchard said he asked Jack about the episode he was watching and was disgusted when he realised the content of the video, as he recalled: 'My partner went to the kitchen when she heard the language and turned it off immediately. 'Some of them have Peppa Pig getting killed. We had to warn the nursery that he had seen this in case he repeated something. 'If a slightly older child saw this, it could be traumatising. There is nothing to warn people that the content is graphic. 'I think there should be more control on the internet. Advertisement 'Now we're not going to be able to let him watch things on the mobile anymore. It's going to make our lives ten times harder now and it's a shame because he enjoyed it.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 6 The dark clips are terrifying kids and racking up millions of views on YouTube Credit: YouTube 6 One clip, which has since been removed, showed the cartoon pig snorting cocaine Credit: YouTube Advertisement 6 Many parents have warned the site needs to do more to protect children Credit: YouTube
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Horror as 'dark Peppa Pig' videos that are terrifying kids rack up millions of views on YouTube
Parents are being warned about 'Dark Peppa Pig' after horror videos began circulating online to target terrified children. The famous cartoon pig is often watched on YouTube by young children but now depraved creators on the channel are taking advantage of Peppa Pig's popularity and creating harmful versions of the show. One clip, which has over 18 million views called MLG Peppa Pig (PARODY), showed the character holding a machine gun. Meanwhile a second twisted video called 'Peppa does Drugs' showed the cartoon pig snorting cocaine. A YouTube spokesperson has since confirmed the clips have been taken down, but millions of children may have been exposed to them. 'We've removed both videos from YouTube and terminated a channel for violating our child safety policies, which we rigorously enforce,' a spokesperson told the Mirror. 'Dark Peppa Pig' videos first came to light in 2017, when an investigation by the BBC found hundreds of harmful clips on YouTube which appeared to be episodes of Peppa Pig but were actually terrifying content for children. In 2018, one mother Moonee Ponds, from Melbourne, was taking a conference call while her daughter watched Peppa Pig online, but she noticed something was wrong when she noticed the absence of the cartoon character's voice. She checked on her daughter to find footage of a kneeling man about to be beheaded, hitting the power button seconds from the gruesome act playing out, The Advertiser reported. Fortunately she was able to protect her daughter from the grim clip, but wanted other mothers to know the 'kids' function on YouTube did not guarantee cyber safety. YouTube has marketed its offshoot as 'safer and simpler for kids to explore the world through online video', but a string of similar instances has proven this might not be the case. The platform has come under fire several times for not policing its content thoroughly enough, with a number of lewd clips reported to have appeared part-way through children's videos. A recent incident involved preschool children in New South Wales and Queensland enacting sexual behaviour in school hours after being accidentally exposed to pornographic content on YouTube Kids. While YouTube claimed the family-friendly version was free of adult material, it has been revealed it's in fact no safer than the regular service. Inappropriate material was only removed from 'kids' once it was reported - the same process as content shared to the adult site. Such loose regulatory policies could contribute to the one in five children aged eight and under that now watch pornographic material online. Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Safety Angus Taylor called on social media companies to be more vigilant with its policing of content. 'I am aware of these types of cases. Social media companies absolutely have a responsibility to do more,' Minister Taylor said. 'All versions of the YouTube Kids app use filters powered by algorithms to select videos from YouTube. We continually work hard to make our algorithms as accurate as possible in order to provide a safer version of YouTube,' a spokeswoman said. Digital expert Dr Kristy Goodwin was called into schools following reports children as young as four imitated 'doggy style' sexual positions. 'These four and five year-olds are imitating doggy style, they are trying to force other children to imitate the act of fellatio all in the schoolyard because of things they have been exposed to online,' Dr Goodwin said. Esafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said such instances were highly concerning because children of that age did not have the cognitive ability to process the content. Cyber Cop's Susan McClean said parents could protect their children by boycotting internet streaming services and instead putting on a DVD or VCR. Meanwhile a father-of-two previously expressed outrage after his son started watching an explicit fake version of Peppa Pig while browsing YouTube. The seemingly innocent video started as any normal tale involving Peppa, George and her parents. However, the content soon changed with references to a paedophile dentist and a plastic phallus which were not included in the original version. Joe Pritchard, 25, from Cornwall let his three-year-old son watch some genuine Peppa Pig videos on the internet. He told MailOnline: 'Jack is three and is in the process of being tested for autism, and we've found that if he watches a show for 15 minutes on the phone it calms him down and helps him relax.' Mr Pritchard said he asked Jack about the episode he was watching and was disgusted when he realised the content of the video. My partner went to the kitchen when she heard the language and turned it off immediately. Some of them have Peppa Pig getting killed. It's happening to Bob the Builder and Paw Patrol. 'We had to warn the nursery that he had seen this in case he repeated something. 'If a slightly older child saw this, it could be traumatising. There is nothing to warn people that the content is graphic. 'I think there should be more control on the internet. If you go on kids YouTube, there are. 'I work all the hours god sends to provide for my children. I am going to have to get Netflix to protect my children. They show genuine copies.' The prankster had used a genuine Peppa Pig episode and re-dubbed sections of it to include the reprehensible content. He said: 'Now we're not going to be able to let him watch things on the mobile anymore. It's going to make our lives ten times harder now and it's a shame because he enjoyed it.'
ABC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Ratepayer group Council Watch accused of abusing councillors, staff across Victoria
Amid debate about library funding and illegal rubbish dumping, Victorian councils have gathered to discuss an organisation a growing number of councillors consider a threat to their personal safety. That organisation is Council Watch Victoria Inc. The ABC has spoken to more than 20 councillors from 13 Victorian councils who expressed concerns about Council Watch, with 17 of them reporting they have either been allegedly threatened, harassed or abused by Council Watch, its president Dean Hurlston, or its supporters. Their claims include that Mr Hurlston and Council Watch published allegations of sexual harassment, an abusive relationship, drug-fuelled mood swings, coercive control, theft, cyberstalking and bullying. It's also alleged Mr Hurlston and Council Watch have attacked public government officials and staff, including allegedly calling a queer community representative a "pedo sympathiser" online. This month's Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) conference initially received a motion that would have asked representatives from the state's 79 councils to condemn the alleged personal abuse and misinformation "conveyed regularly online by Council Watch" and call for a state government investigation into the pro-ratepayer group. That motion, submitted by Moonee Ponds councillor Rose Iser, was amended before it was put to a vote, but it was ultimately defeated. Instead, the gathering voted in favour of a more general motion targeting online abuse and misinformation that did not mention Council Watch or Mr Hurlston. Upon publication of Cr Iser's initial motion in the MAV agenda, Council Watch, in a letter signed by Mr Hurlston, told the MAV and Cr Iser the motion was defamatory, stating he would seek damages "to the tune of $100,000". He also threatened to launch defamation action against 68 councillors, who were all carbon-copied on the same email, should they proceed with the vote. Cr Iser said she thought it was an "absurd" attempt to scare the group, while another councillor described it as "threatening". MAV president Jennifer Anderson confirmed the MAV sought legal advice ahead of the motion, and was advised it could proceed. Cr Iser's initial motion is the latest attempt by councillors, some of whom said they fear for their safety, to get something done about Council Watch and Mr Hurlston. The 21 current and former councillors the ABC spoke with painted a dark picture about the alleged behaviour of Council Watch and Mr Hurlston. The ABC is aware of a further 14 current and former councillors from eight additional councils who told Cr Iser they have allegedly been affected by the pro-ratepayer group. A Melbourne councillor told the ABC Mr Hurlston allegedly shared her address online and suggested disgruntled ratepayers "march on her home". She wore a necklace with an emergency response button for six months and moved to an address she had kept private from even her closest friends. A former inner-Melbourne mayor told the ABC Mr Hurlston sent him repeated text messages threatening to "go public" with false accusations if he didn't respond to his questioning. The alleged abuse extended beyond elected representatives. Mr Hurlston has posted on social media that an LGBTQIA+ council advocate from regional Victoria was a "pedo sympathiser". The councillors who spoke to the ABC on the condition of anonymity have been unanimous in calling Council Watch "ground zero" for misinformation, "vile" slogans and "personalised hate" campaigns being conducted online and in person. Mr Hurlston was approached for comment but did not respond to the ABC's questions. Council Watch was founded more than 20 years ago as Ratepayers Victoria. It launched on Facebook in 2018 and was taken over by Mr Hurlston the following year. Mr Hurlston has since become a regular voice in parliamentary inquiries, where he has appeared as an authority on local government matters. Council Watch calls itself a "media/news company" on social media and its website describes it as a specialist body with "lobbying strength". Melton councillor Phillip Zada had been in local government for five months when he said he received his first text message from Mr Hurlston. During a closed-door meeting of councillors, executives and government representatives, Cr Zada asked what could be done about the "rise of unregulated groups that spread misinformation, push hidden agendas and fuel public mistrust". "What protections can be put in place to support those of us who are being targeted simply for doing our jobs," he asked. Cr Zada said at no point did he mention Council Watch. Minutes later he said he received a text message that said, "You don't need protection from Council Watch — we pose no threat to you … the minister has better things to do than play KGB to councillor paranoia". Cr Zada said the message was from Mr Hurlston, who was not in the room at the time. The ABC has seen a multitude of text messages, letters, complaints to external employers, cease-and-desist emails and legalistic notices Mr Hurlston and Council Watch sent to councillors threatening defamation action. Earlier this month, a Melbourne court heard allegations that Mr Hurlston, posing as a journalist with a fake name working for a non-existent news organisation, emailed questions to a councillor's employer. Mr Hurlston, who is not facing criminal charges, will contest the allegations in June. Multiple councillors told the ABC any correspondence with Mr Hurlston would be published on the Council Watch website with "excessive use of the word 'allegedly'". "When he makes a comment which is a lie he throws in the word allegedly," one councillor said. Sean Mulcahy co-leads the Victorian Pride Lobby's Rainbow Local Government campaign, which advocates for greater LGBTIQA+ representation on councils. While not a councillor, he claimed he had endured five years of abuse from Mr Hurlston, including the use of his photo and name in various iterations of Mr Hurlston's social media profiles. Among the vitriol directed to Mr Mulcahy was the allegation that he was a "pedo sympathiser". "It can cut to your core when there's an insinuation that the work you do is tantamount to child abuse," Mr Mulcahy said. The MAV said that "as with all resolutions that were passed at [this month's] State Council, the MAV team will now action" the motion relating to online abuse and misinformation. Local Government Minister Nick Staikos did not answer questions about Council Watch, but said "everyone has the right to a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace". "We are seeing too many politically charged personal attacks and conspiracy theories spread on social media," Mr Staikos said. "This behaviour deters people from standing for public office and limits the representation of diverse communities within local governments across Victoria."
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Family shocked after seeing daughter's killer on day release
The family of a young woman murdered by her ex-boyfriend has been rocked at the discovery her killer was let out of prison on day release. Melbourne University student Adriana Donato, 20, was at a friend's home in August 2012, when her former boyfriend, James Stoneham, then 21, came to look for her. She got in his car to speak to him and he drove her to a park where he killed her with a hunting knife. During sentencing at the Supreme Court in November 2013, Justice Michael Croucher heard that Stoneham, who pleaded guilty, planned the murder for weeks. Justice Croucher issued a prison sentence of 19 years, with a non-parole period of 14-and-a-half years. But in early April, a member of Adriana's family spotted Stoneham at their local shopping strip in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne. 'I didn't believe he could be out in the community. We dismissed (the relative). We thought she was being ridiculous,' Grace Donato told The Age. Ms Donato was told by police that Stoneham had been transferred about a month earlier to the Judy Lazarus Transition Centre in Melbourne's CBD. Some prisoners are moved to the centre towards the end of their sentence as part of a supervised pathway back into society. Stoneham had not been granted parole. Ms Donato had listed herself on the Victorian Victims Register in February to be notified of developments in the timing of any parole application or release. Corrections Victoria had checked the list twice but it was not consulted just before Stoneham's transfer to the centre. 'I am devastated, traumatised and angry that this can even happen,' Ms Donato said. 'I think Victorians would be shocked. They need to know this is happening to me and others as well.' Ms Donato was contacted by Corrections Victoria in April who apologise for the mistake and reassured her of changes made to ensure the issue was not repeated. 'We sincerely apologise and deeply regret the distress caused to Ms Donato,' a Department of Justice and Community spokesperson. 'As soon as the breakdown in process was identified, this person in custody was moved to another prison.' Corrections Victoria has put additional processes in place to prevent the mistake happening in the future and state government minister Enver Erdogan also made an apology. 'I extend my deepest sympathies to Ms Donato for what has occurred,' he said. 'This is an appalling error and it is completely unacceptable.' Ms Donato also took aim at a Victorian government policy from 2021 which saw thousands of prisoners' sentences reduced due to the Covid pandemic. Inmates were granted an emergency management day (EMD) - a day deducted from their sentence - to compensate for disruptions in prisons like 24 hour-lockdowns. While four days is the maximum amount of EMDs permitted for prisoners under the Corrections Act 1986, prisoners were given one for each day in lockdown during the pandemic, which included 14-days of mandatory quarantine for new inmates. 'I want that 14 months reversed for (Stoneham) and all other violent offenders who have received this,' Ms Donato said. She was not alone with a Parliament of Victoria petition to restrict emergency management days for violent and high-risk prisoners receiving 3,700 signatures as of Thursday evening. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Corrections Victoria for comment on the petition.
