Why challenges are so appealing
Challenges offer a quick way to join in, get attention and feel part of a group. Most are harmless, such as dances, recipes or funny trends. A few involve real physical danger, from risky stunts to swallowing or inhaling things, and some are hoaxes designed to scare parents.
Kids and teens are still developing their sense of risk, and the promise of views or friends' approval can outweigh caution in the moment.
Start with curiosity, not alarm
Ask open questions like 'Have you seen any challenges lately that seemed risky?' or 'What do your friends think about that trend?'. Listen more than you talk. If you react with panic or punishment, children may stop telling you what they see online.
Be careful not to describe specific dangerous challenges in detail to younger children, as that can spread the idea. Focus on the general pattern of risky trends.
Help them think it through
Give kids simple questions to ask themselves: Could this hurt me or someone else? Would I do this if nobody was filming? What is the worst that could happen? Talk about how videos show only the successful attempts, not the injuries.
Practise ways to say no that save face, like 'Nah, not worth it' or 'My parents would take my phone'. Having words ready makes peer pressure easier to resist.
Use the tools, but keep talking
Family safety and content settings can limit some content and screen time, so review the current options in the app and adjust them to your child's age. No setting catches everything, which is why an ongoing, trusting relationship matters most.
Show your child how to report a video and use 'Not interested', and praise them when they tell you about something worrying.
If you see a harmful challenge
Do not share it, even as a warning, because that can spread it further. Report the video through the app, and if a child may be in danger or has been hurt, seek medical help or contact emergency services right away. Let the school know if a risky trend is spreading among students.
Frequently asked questions
Should I warn my child about a specific challenge in the news?
Often it is better to talk about risky trends in general, since naming a specific challenge can make children curious. Some reported challenges also turn out to be hoaxes, so check reliable sources first.
What age should these conversations start?
As soon as a child starts watching online videos, even with supervision. Keep the talk simple for younger children and add more detail as they grow and gain independence.