Black Eyed Children: Myth or Reality?

The phenomenon known as Black Eyed Children started coming to prevalence in the mid-1990’s in North America, with some reports dating as far back as the 1980’s. In most cases, accounts detail young people between the ages of 7 and 16, with pitch-black eyes, usually occurring in pairs or small groups, knocking on the doors of private residences, cars, hotel rooms and even appearing on boats.

When the occupant answers the door, these children ask to be let inside. Reports indicate that these children appear and act otherworldly, having ghostly white skin in addition to their black eyes. They speak in a demanding yet monotone voice, using simple language, such as “Let us in. We won’t hurt you. Let us inside.” Their stare is said to incite feelings of horror and dread and even protective guard dogs have been reported to whimper and flee after approaching them.

While skeptics have indicated that this phenomenon is either the result of a prank by children wearing black sclera contact lenses, experts indicate that these contact lenses are expensive, difficult to put in and are painful to wear. Other skeptics theorize that, as this phenomenon emerged at the same time as popularized “goth” culture did and that these children could simply be wearing black eye make-up and are possibly high on drugs with subsequently dilated pupils, and they are wandering around looking for food or shelter. However, the report of children as young as 7 years old being present would cast doubt on this belief. Also, in most cases, once denied cooperation, these beings are said to vanish into thin air, a feat beyond the capabilities of most drug-addled teenagers.

In Japan, an “onryo” spirit is traditionally described as a young person who has died a sudden and traumatic death and has come back to the living world to seek revenge. They are likewise described as having ghostly white skin and black eyes. As black eyed children have frequently been described as wearing outdated and sometimes antique-looking clothing, it is possible that they are a type of malevolent wandering spirit, unable to cross into the afterlife and seeking to frighten and torment anyone they come across. They also share traits with what are typically called “walk-ins,” beings from another plane of existence, or inter-dimensional travelers that feed off of the fear they incite in those they encounter.

Still others believe they are the basis of vampire legend. A few believers who have reportedly had close dealings with black eyed children, report that they don’t breathe in and out and that they have sharp, shark-like teeth, which they conceal until they attack. The other parallel to vampire mythology is obvious: an invitation is necessary for these beings to attack inside the borders of a person’s property. As reports of encounters with black eyed children have only come from people who denied these beings their requests, the outcome in cases where they have been granted and allowed to enter are unknown. It hardly seems, however, that it would be anything good.