Talk with Kids About Risky 'Challenges'

It’s important for parents and kids to talk about the dangers of viral ‘challenges’ that urge kids to try dangerous stunts. Some risky challenges involve ingesting things — such as biting into a liquid laundry pod or eating an intensely hot pepper. Other challenges dare kids to get high or faint — by taking several antihistamines, by hyperventilating or by having someone choke them. Some challenges push kids to steal items from school, such as the restroom soap dispenser or their teacher’s coffee cup. Other stealing challenges dare kids to shoplift a particular item from a grocery store. Not surprisingly, challenges are designed to create sensational social media. Kids are urged to video their stunts and share them online.

There’s a lot that’s wrong with these challenges. Kids have been seriously injured, suspended from school and even arrested and prosecuted. But because social media glamorizes these stunts, tweens and teens can be tempted to try them. They don’t always think through the risks or the consequences. Even stunts that seem silly and fun can result in injury. Kids are getting hurt from the duct tape challenge, whose goal is to escape after friends bind you up in the super-sticky, heavy-duty tape.

New challenges are popping up all the time, and even level-headed kids can get pulled in. These challenges are a great example of why a key goal of parenting is to help kids develop critical-thinking skills and sound judgment. Thoughtful conversations and positive role-modeling are powerful tools. When kids understand the risks and potential consequences, they can make wise decisions and avoid bad situations — even when you’re not with them.