{"id":296221,"date":"2023-05-24T20:22:39","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T00:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/knowtechie.com\/?p=296221"},"modified":"2023-05-24T20:22:50","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T00:22:50","slug":"how-to-keep-your-teen-safe-from-dangerous-social-media-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/knowtechie.com\/how-to-keep-your-teen-safe-from-dangerous-social-media-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"How to keep your teen safe from dangerous social media challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"

Viral social media trends started innocently enough. In the early 2010s, there was planking<\/a>, the \u201cHarlem Shake\u201d dance<\/a>, and lip-syncing to Carly Rae Jepsen\u2019s summer anthem \u201cCall Me Maybe<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then came the ice bucket challenge<\/a>, which raised an estimated US$115 million<\/a> for ALS research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, social media challenges have grown more popular \u2013 and more dangerous, leading to serious injuries<\/a> and even deaths<\/a>. It\u2019s not hard to see why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The milk crate challenge<\/a> dares people to walk or run across a loosely stacked pyramid of milk crates, the Tide pod challenge<\/a> involves eating laundry detergent pods, and the Benadryl challenge<\/a> encourages taking six or more doses of over-the-counter allergy medication all at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read news coverage based on evidence, not tweets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As clinical psychology researchers, we study why social media challenges<\/a> are so appealing to teens<\/a> despite the dangers they pose, and steps parents can take to protect their kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The appeal of viral stunts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Almost all American teens<\/a> today have access to a smartphone and actively use multiple social media platforms \u2013 with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat being the most popular<\/a> among this age group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the teenage years are linked to an increase in risk-taking<\/a>. The human brain isn\u2019t fully developed until a person reaches their mid-20s<\/a>, and the parts of the brain that relate to reward and doing what feels good develop more quickly than areas linked to decision-making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, teens are more likely to act impulsively and risk physical injury to gain popularity. Teens are also particularly vulnerable to social pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 2016 study found that teens were more likely to \u201clike\u201d a photo<\/a> \u2013 even when it showed drug or alcohol use \u2013 if the photo had more \u201clikes\u201d from peers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same study also showed that activity increased in the reward centers of teenage brains when viewing posts with more \u201clikes.\u201d Simply put, teens pay closer attention to social media content with a high number of \u201clikes\u201d and views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In best-case scenarios, this vulnerability to social pressure may result in, say, buying a certain brand of sneakers. Yet in worst-case scenarios, this can lead teens to do dangerous stunts to impress or amuse their friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our work, we found that celebrities, musicians, athletes, and influencers can also increase risky teen behaviors<\/a>, such as alcohol and drug use, especially because they earn many \u201clikes\u201d and attract huge followings on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teens today may find it more difficult to resist social pressure. They not only have unlimited access to their peers and other influencers, but online social networks are also much larger, with teens following hundreds \u2013 sometimes thousands \u2013 of online users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What parents can do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image: Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Below are five ways parents can help their teen<\/a> resist social pressure and avoid risks linked to social media trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to your teen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Parents can learn more about social media<\/a> by asking their teen open-ended questions about their experiences, such as, \u201cHas anything you\u2019ve seen on Instagram upset you lately?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Share your own concerns about social media while listening to your teen\u2019s thoughts and perspectives. This kind of open communication can improve kids\u2019 mental health and social skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research also shows that watching media content with your teens \u2013 and discussing issues that come up during and after media use \u2013 helps with children\u2019s brain development<\/a> and critical thinking. It can also help to resolve questions or clear up misinformation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk about what is rewarding<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teens don\u2019t always know why they engage in certain behaviors or are curious about dangerous activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a conversation<\/a> with them about what feels good about \u201clikes\u201d and comments online could help them identify similar rewarding experiences offline \u2013 such as joining a school sports team or extracurricular club. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that sports participation<\/a> is a helpful way to build one\u2019s social identity, self-esteem and meaningful connections with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk about what is risky<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Image: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Social media posts often glamorize risky behaviors<\/a>. For example, alcohol use posts<\/a> focus on the fun aspects and avoid depictions of blackouts or injury. Similarly, teens see \u201clikes\u201d and views from social media challenges, but not hospitalizations and deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents can talk to teens about this gap. Since teens are often more knowledgeable about the latest social media challenges, ask them about the topic and help them think through possible risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get informed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to connect with teens is to\u00a0learn about topics that interest them<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they enjoy Instagram, consider creating your own account and ask them to show you the ropes on the platform, as\u00a0teaching others can be rewarding<\/a>\u00a0for teens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, take the time to explore on your own and keep up to date on social media features, challenges, and risky trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A family media plan<\/a> can help you and your teen agree on screen-free times, media curfews, and ways to choose good media habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media can also help teens<\/a> form friendships, stay connected with distant friends and family members, reduce stress, and access medical providers, help lines, or other tools that support physical and mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come up with a plan that all family members can follow to enjoy the benefits of social media. Your family can always revise the media plan as your child gets older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter<\/a> or Facebook<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editors’ Recommendations:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n