Every few months, our kids are exposed to a new viral social media challenge. Sometimes the challenges are harmless, while other times the challenge could land your child in the hospital or jail.
Here are just a few of the online challenge trends we have seen over the last few years:
- Tide pod challenge
- Cinnamon Challenge
- Blue whale Challenge
- Skull Breaker Challenge
- Food coloring challenge (ingest turn urine colors)
- Momo challenge
- Slenderman
The current challenge making the rounds on TikTok is the Skull Breaker Challenge. This one’s a bit different then others from the past in that it involves your child being a party to physical assault, physical and mental bullying along with cyber bullying, all with a video record of the evidence!
How to talk to your kids about online challenges
I was recently interviewed on CNN HLN about what parents should be aware of, you can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/kILLx0uGOcs
If you haven’t discussed online challenges with your kids yet, now is the time. Here is one way to approach the topic.
- If you haven’t, start talking to your kids about technology use – use our Conversation Starters we post every weekday on the Savvy Cyber Kids social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn) as a place to start.
- Next, have your child ask themselves two simple questions before they decide to participate in the latest online trend:
- Could you get hurt? – So, Should you do it?
- Could someone else get hurt? – So, Should you do it?
- Discuss possible consequences – both negative and positive of participating in a social media challenge. For example, would participating in a specific challenge potentially lead to arrest and misdemeanor or felony charges? (FYI, all states have laws against bullying in some form or another). Or, if a college admission counselor is searching for you online, will they find pictures and videos that may sway their decision?
If your kids ask for an example of a positive or beneficial online challenge, show them videos of your favorite actor, actress, or musician participating in the ice bucket challenge.
Need more tips on raising successful children in a world filled with technology? Download our free Digital Parenting Guides https://savvycyberkids.org/families!
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