Online challenges have received lots of criticism in recent years, because of how dangerous they can be. There are both physical and mental risks associated with them, and although most are meant to be fun, others can cause permanent damage or even be fatal if not completed correctly. Here are just some of the risks associated with online challenges and how you can protect yourself from them.
How the challenges started
It all started with the ice bucket challenge. You remember that one, right? The challenge went viral on social media, with people dumping buckets of ice water on their heads to raise awareness for ALS. Then came the cinnamon challenge, where people tried to eat a tablespoon of ground cinnamon in 60 seconds (spoiler alert: it’s impossible). And most recently, there’s been the Tide Pod challenge, where people are eating laundry detergent pods (yes, you read that correctly).
What happens during a challenge
People often take on online challenges without thinking about the consequences. These challenges can be anything from eating Tide Pods to the Cinnamon Challenge. Most of the time, these challenges are harmless and people complete them without incident. However, there have been cases where people have seriously injured themselves or even died as a result of an online challenge.
How to spot a dangerous online challenge
Most online challenges are harmless fun, but some can be dangerous. Here are a few things to look out for to spot a dangerous challenge:
- If the challenge involves physical activity that could lead to injury, it’s probably not worth doing.
- If the challenge requires you to do something illegal or against your morals, it’s definitely not worth doing.
Why people complete dangerous challenges
People complete dangerous challenges for a variety of reasons. Some people do it for the thrill, some people do it to show off, and some people do it because they feel like they have something to prove. Whatever the reason, these challenges can often have deadly consequences.
How parents can prevent their children from dangerous challenges
- Keep the lines of communication open with your children. Talk to them about what they’re doing online and what challenges they may be seeing.
- Monitor their internet usage. Use parental controls if necessary to limit their access to certain websites or apps.
- Educate yourself on the latest online challenges and trends. This way you can be aware of what your children may be exposed to.