It is a brief experience—lasting only a few minutes—but the unease lingers long after the browser tab is closed. is a masterclass in psychological horror, proving that the scariest monsters aren't the ones hiding in the closet, but the ones hiding in plain sight, behind a screen.
The brainchild of Chris Crooks, a British filmmaker and musician, takethislollipop.com presented itself as a harmless, even enticing, proposition. Visitors were invited to take a lollipop from a girl depicted in a video on the site. The twist? The girl was a pedophile's victim. The video showed a sweet, innocent-looking girl offering a lollipop to the viewer, interspersed with clips of disturbing, grainy footage suggesting the girl was being abused. www.takethislollipop.com
The site's purpose was two-fold. Firstly, it aimed to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and the devastating effects it has on its victims. Secondly, it sought to confront viewers with the harsh reality of this heinous crime, encouraging them to take action against it. The stark contrast between the innocent-looking girl and the disturbing undertones of the video made for an uncomfortable viewing experience, which was precisely the point. It is a brief experience—lasting only a few
That site is an interactive horror / psychological experience created by Jason Zada. It uses Facebook data (with permission) to create a personalized, unsettling short film, showing how easily online data can be used against you. Visitors were invited to take a lollipop from
The Digital Mirror: Unpacking the Legacy of Take This Lollipop
The climax of the short was particularly chilling: the stalker would pull up Google Maps and find directions to the viewer’s home, based on the geographic data contained in their profile, before slamming his keyboard and running toward the camera. The Message Behind the Scare