Is your adolescent on social media? If so, you’ll want to keep reading.
Social media challenges come and go, but not always without dire consequences. The following experts answer essential questions about what the challenges are and how to talk to kids and teens about the risks involved.
Kristin: A social media challenge starts when someone attempts a task, films themselves doing it, then posts the video on a social media platform like TikTok or YouTube. If videos become popular, more and more people start to copy and challenge others to participate too.
Some social media challenges, like silly dance routines, are harmless fun. Others, though they may start innocently, are quite dangerous and can result in serious injuries. Popular, but unsafe, social media challenges recently have included the Benadryl® challenge, sleepy chicken challenge, nutmeg challenge, one chip challenge, cinnamon challenge and chroming (inhalant abuse).
Dr. Cosby: There are several reasons social media challenges are appealing to young people.
Adolescence is a time of growth and development. The time from ages 14-17 is one for building relationships with peers, which can create distance between teens and parents. This shift makes approval from peers increasingly important. Social media allows for an instant source of following, praise, attention and approval.
The part of the brain responsible for logical decision making isn’t fully formed until we’ve reached our mid-20s. The developing adolescent brain is focused on the emotional high of an experience in the moment, not the long-term consequences.
The more ridiculous or absurd a behavior on social media, the better. The rapid response creates an immediate sense of happiness, attention and an adrenaline rush.
The greater and more rapid the response, the more likely adolescents will be to look for something even bigger, better and more intense the next go around.
Dr. Cosby: It’s impossible to predict what the next big challenge will be, but you can talk generally about the motivations behind them, and potential risks involved. I encourage adults to:
Make space and time to have conversations with your adolescent. Pay attention and stay in the know – ask about their day, how they’re feeling, how their friends are doing.
Know what they’re posting so you can not only be aware and observant when trouble arises, but also offer praise for a positive and appropriate social media presence.
Let them know you understand the desire to do what peers are doing and discuss the importance of recognizing the risks of being involved. This could be as serious as medical emergencies and hospitalization.
Reflect on your own social media habits and what they’re teaching your teen. Adolescents learn more from what they see us doing than what we tell them. Discuss with them why and how you use your social media and nurture discussions around rational decision making.
Communication is key. Here are some conversation tips:
Shelly: While we can try our best to prevent them, injuries happen. In the case of social media challenges, many of these injuries are related to eating, inhaling or exposure to substances that lead to poisonings. As adolescents begin to spend more time away from parents, it’s a good idea to review what to do in the event of an unexpected situation.
If it’s a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
If there is concern of a poisoning, call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
Please don’t be afraid to call for help! You’re only expected to answer the questions you know the answers to or provide information you’re willing to disclose. When you call, a poison information specialist will answer and quickly assess the situation by asking for information, such as:
They’ll then provide instructions on what to do next.
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