Ancient Myths vs Modern Myths
These myths spread rapidly through platforms like TikTok or Twitter
What are modern Myths
This character was originally created for a photoshop contest and is depicted as a tall, thin humanoid.
What is Slenderman
This social media platform was made in 2005, it has videos that are responsible for some of the most infamous modern myths/fables.
What is YouTube
People often accept myths because they helped ancient societies explain mysteries before science existed
What is explaining the unknown
Fact or Fiction: The “Momo Challenge” was a real widespread threat harming children.
Fiction (It was largely a hoax amplified by social media and news)
These myths are more likely to be tied to religion and gods
What are ancient Myths
This internet hoax allegedly encouraged children to perform dangerous tasks
What is the Momo Challenge
Online gaming has risen significantly in popularity and this platform is responsible for some of the most famous video game challenges.
What is Twitch
Why did people believe in ancient myths?
What is an explanations for the world around them
Fact or Fiction: Slender Man started as an internet myth created on an online forum.
Fact (Created in 2009 on a forum and spread as a creepypasta)
This is the key similarity between ancient myths and modern myths
What are used to explain human fears, values, and experiences, even if the method of sharing is different.
This legend started as a single unsettling photo and is based on liminal spaces and “levels”
What is the Backrooms
TikTok has a wide range of content: What trends of TikTok are responsible for some dangerous myths that targeted women starting around 2024?
What is Health or Beauty Trends
People are more likely to believe myths that match their existing beliefs or opinions. What is this psychological concept called?
Confirmation bias
Fact or Fiction: Drinking bleach can cure illnesses if recommended online.
Fiction (Dangerous misinformation spread online)
Ancient myths were often believed to be true within a culture, while modern myths are more commonly understood as this, even if some people still believe them.
What is Entertainment/Fiction
This legend claims an experiment was done to test the effects no sleep has on humans
What is the Russian Sleep Experiment
Most popular in the early 2010’s, this platform was known for its fanfiction and other complex re-tellings of famous myths/legends.
What is Tumblr
The reason people still believe in these legends even with proof they’re false.
What is the fear of missing out or being wrong
Fact or Fiction: Social media algorithms only show users completely random content.
Fiction (Algorithms personalize content based on behavior)
While ancient myths used gods and supernatural forces to explain the unknown, modern myths use viral stories and digital media, however both serve this same core purpose in society.
What is explaining the unknown or making sense of the world?
This legend is is based on the spirit of a dead child who supposedly haunted a main in his apartment
What is Dear David
This platform was where the popular Slenderman creepypasta originated from.
What was The SomethingAwful Forum or 4Chan
People tend to believe myths more when they are repeated often or seen by many others online. What is this effect called?
The illusory truth effect (or social proof)
Fact or Fiction: Urban legends today spread faster than in the past because of social media.
Fact (Social media accelerates the spread of myths and stories)