Practicing Precaution: Social Media Challenges
Graphic by Kendall Moore
Social media rewards risky behavior with millions of views, shares, and likes.
Dangerous social media challenges, like the Tide Pod Challenge and the Fire Challenge, can result in serious injury and death. These types of challenges are not new, and despite the lengthy list of potential dangers they can cause, there is no shortage of people willing to participate so long as their video goes viral.
With the allure of widespread attention, social media challenges can seem especially appealing to kids and teens.
From a scientific standpoint, our brains are not fully developed until we are about 25, so a lack of rationality is not uncommon among young people. But from a parental perspective, it’s terrifying.
In order to help gear kids and teens with the information needed to encourage positive choices, parents first need to be aware of how these risk factors are introduced into their children’s environment to begin with.
Kids are heavily influenced by their surroundings.
Peer pressure is a big obstacle faced by kids and teens every day.
The promise of popularity can lead to some pretty poor decision making and “my friends were doing it, too” is not an uncommon rebuttal from a kid caught acting without caution.
Interestingly, most kids and teens do not think peer pressure is actually a prevalent issue on social media.
Unfortunately, peer pressure on social media is very real. Seeing friends and influencers partake in social media challenges, watching as the videos go viral, can lead kids and teens to want that same recognition.
While peer pressure may not always be verbalized, a desire to follow in other people’s footsteps based solely on the number of views they received is a form of peer pressure.
Kids get bored.
When kids get bored, they head over to their favorite social media app. Watching viral videos of social media challenges may be one way they stay entertained, and it may not always be a desire for popularity that gets them interested in participating as well.
Because our brains are not fully developed until our mid-20s, young people struggle with impulse control. Impulsive behavior is exceptionally common when kids and teens are bored. Research has found that bored teens are more likely to engage in impulsive behavior and to experiment with drugs and alcohol.
When the impulsive behavior from boredom works alongside the impulsive behavior from a still-developing brain, the results can be ruinous. A bored kid on social media may very well find amusement in filming and posting a challenge video of their own without recognizing the dangers those challenges pose.
So, what exactly can be done to help kids avoid harmful internet challenges?
Communication between parents and children is paramount.
Creating a space where your child feels comfortable being honest and vulnerable is a great way to get them talking. Allow your child to speak freely and avoid judging or interjecting.
In every situation, whether they are talking about their favorite television show or venting about the mean kid at school, being an active listener lets kids know that what they have to say and what they are experiencing matters.
Kids are more likely to share secrets or difficult information when they know they will be met with respect and understanding.
This also allows parents the room to ask questions. When it comes to social media challenges in particular you can ask if they have any interest in participating and why.
Ask what they expect the outcome will be. Ask if they believe they will gain anything from the experience. Questions are going to get your kid thinking more seriously about the situation, but as a parent, you will also gain insight into your child’s thought processes and figure out ways to help them adjust those ways of thinking as needed.
Remind your child of who they are.
It is easy to lose our sense of individuality when our entire focus is centered around what other people are doing. Take time to remind your child that they are their own person.
It is ok to make your own choices even if your choice is different from what the majority decides.
It is ok to not want to do something even if everyone else is partaking. It is ok to say no, to recognize your limits, to take your own wants and feelings into consideration.
Regularly bring up memories of times your child displayed resilience.
Was there a moment when they practiced impulse control effectively? Have they ever said “no” to their friends and done what they thought was right instead? How have they grown in the past week, month, or year? Why are you proud of them?
When we nurture kids, when we remind them of their potential and their power, we are reducing their chances of participating in risky behavior.
You are still the parent.
Making sure your kids feel loved and cared for is every parent’s job. Sometimes, the way parents show that love and care may not always be immediately recognizable to kids and teens, and instead may seem invasive or annoying.
However, being an active participant in your child’s life is a great way to stay updated on any poor choices they may be making. Show interest in your child’s interests, even if they think it’s uncool. Be “friends” on social media sites, even if they think it’s embarrassing. Chat with their friends when they come to your home, even if your kid thinks it’s weird. Your child is growing and needs some independence, but you are still the parent. Be involved!
Social media has the potential to be damaging but knowing how to face online obstacles with a steady gaze can keep kids safe and parents at ease.
Sources:
Brain development:
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051
Peer pressure stat: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/
Kids and boredom: