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Why Social Media Challenges Pose a Threat to Teen Safety and Well-being?

Q: Why are social media challenges becoming more dangerous?

Social media challenges have evolved from harmless trends to risky activities due to increased participation, peer pressure, and a lack of awareness about potential dangers.

Q: How can parents actively support their teens in the social media scene?

Parents can engage in open communication, be active listeners, discuss positive offline experiences, address risky behaviors, and create a family media plan to ensure responsible social media use.

Q: What are the benefits of watching media content alongside teens?

Watching media together contributes to children's brain development, and critical thinking, and helps address concerns or misinformation that may arise during or after media use.

Q: How can parents bridge the gap between teens and risky social media trends?

Parents can initiate conversations, ask about the latest challenges, and help teens think critically about potential risks associated with participating in such trends.

Q: Why is creating a family media plan important?

A family media plan helps establish agreed-upon screen times, media rules, and habits, ensuring a balanced and responsible use of social media while focusing on its positive aspects.

Social media challenges are more than just trends – they're potential risks. Explore the reasons behind their dangers and find out how parents can support and guide their teens through the online maze.

Editor In Chief

10 months ago
Updated on: 14 Jan, 2024, 10:34 am

Why Social Media Challenges Pose a Threat to Teen Safety and Well-being?

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Viral trends on social media started in a harmless way. Recently, though, these challenges have become more popular and, unfortunately, more dangerous. Some challenges have even resulted in serious injuries and deaths. Let's explore why.

Almost every American teen has a smartphone and actively uses various social media platforms, with YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat being the favorites. At the same time, the teenage years are associated with an increase in risk-taking behavior. The human brain isn't fully developed until the mid-20s, and the parts related to seeking rewards and pursuing pleasurable activities develop faster than those linked to decision-making. This makes teens more prone to impulsive actions and risks physical harm in their quest for popularity.

Teens are also highly susceptible to social pressure. Unlike before, resisting this pressure is more challenging today. They not only have constant access to peers and influencers but also belong to much larger online social networks, where they follow hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of users.

What Parents Can Do

Supporting Teens in the Social Media Scene

Be an Active Listener

Parents can understand more about social media by asking their teens open-ended questions like, "Have you come across anything on Instagram that bothered you recently?" While discussing their concerns about social media, it's crucial to listen to the teens' thoughts and perspectives. This open communication enhances kids' mental well-being and social skills.

Research indicates that watching media content alongside teens, and talking about issues that arise during and after media use, contributes to children's brain development and critical thinking. It also aids in addressing questions and dispelling misinformation.

Discuss Positive Experiences

Teens may not always comprehend why they engage in certain behaviors or explore risky activities. Having a conversation about the gratification they feel from "likes" and comments online can help them recognize similar rewarding experiences offline. For instance, participating in a school sports team or extracurricular club can be fulfilling. Studies reveal that involvement in sports is a beneficial way to develop social identity, self-esteem, and meaningful connections with others.

Discussing Risky Stuff

Social media often makes risky behaviors seem cool. For instance, posts about drinking focus on the fun parts and skip showing blackouts or injuries. Similarly, when teens participate in challenges, they see lots of "likes" and views but don't realize the risks, like hospitalizations and deaths.

Parents should talk to teens about this gap. Since teens know a lot about the latest challenges on social media, ask them about it and help them think about possible risks.

Get to Know Things

A great way to connect with teens is to learn about things they like. If they enjoy Instagram, make your account and ask them to show you how it works. Teens find it rewarding to teach others. Also, explore on your own and keep up with social media features, challenges, and risky trends.

Make a Game Plan

Having a family media plan helps you and your teen agree on times without screens, media rules, and good media habits. Social media is useful for teens to make friends, stay in touch with distant folks, reduce stress, and access health tools.

Create a plan that everyone in the family can follow to enjoy social media benefits. You can change the plan as your child grows up.