Gone are the days when sending your kids to school and making sure they are up to date with their homework was enough. With the advent of social media and increasing use of technology among the youth, parents now need to be aware of viral trends that are almost harmful and even fatal.
Including stunts and challenges, these activities are gaining popularity on social media and reaching school buildings, where they are often carried out among groups of severely affected teenagers. Recently, education and health authorities across the UAE have urged schools and parents to remain alert as several serious physical challenges emerge among children and adolescents.
What is happening?
Schools have reported incidents to educational authorities in which students engaged in unsafe activities such as choking, breath-holding, and neck or head pressure while attempting viral social media challenges.One particular trend that is very concerning is the “skull breaker challenge” where a student is intentionally forced to fall. The trick, which went viral on TikTok in 2020, involves tricking someone into jumping and then intentionally tripping them, often causing them to land on their back or head.
Doctors warn of ‘permanent damage’
What may start as a joke can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation according to many health professionals.
According to Dr. Rabie Abazid, pediatric specialist at Burjeel Medical Centre, Al Shamkha, these viral challenges are “very serious” and can lead to serious “and sometimes permanent” damage.She added: “The ‘skull crushing’ movement results in a sudden, uncontrolled fall, which can lead to head injuries such as concussions, skull fractures, brain injury, or spinal trauma.” Dr. Renuka Ramasamy, a family medicine specialist at Modern International Hospital in Dubai, added that acts such as suffocation or respiratory restriction are particularly worrying.
She warned of the so-called “blackout challenge” in particular. The blackout challenge involves intentionally restricting oxygen to the brain so that one feels dizzy. Ramasamy warned that teens could end up suffocating themselves until they lose consciousness and that the challenge could lead to permanent brain damage or death within five minutes because the brain is very sensitive to lack of oxygen. “This type of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) quickly injures brain cells and can have irreversible effects,” she said.According to the US National Center for Health Research, between 1995 and 2007, at least 82 children between the ages of 6 and 19 died from choking toy activities.
Why are children especially at risk?
Experts stress that adolescents are the critical focus in confronting these challenges because they are going through a stage of social, emotional and brain development. Between the ages of 9 and 16, social media use rises sharply, as does exposure to dangerous content. According to several studies, prolonged screen time affects the areas of the brain responsible for impulse control and emotional regulation.
Combined with peer pressure and the desire for “likes” and “comments,” the pull toward performing such stunts can become extremely high.
UAE schools raise awareness
Schools in the UAE deal with such issues directly with the help of consultants and communication. Stephanie Watson, deputy headteacher at Nord Anglia International School in Abu Dhabi, said the school has trained school counselors and wellbeing ambassadors who lead student-focused “wellbeing fairs” where young people speak out about “real issues, including serious online challenges”.In addition, they also have PSME (Personal, Social and Moral Education) lessons which include a digital safety program tailored to each year group.
How can parents help?
Health experts suggest paying attention to physical signs such as bloodshot eyes, small red spots around the eyes, unexplained marks or bruises on the neck, frequent severe headaches and confusion after spending time alone. Secrecy around devices and group chats, coupled with language that normalizes such stunts, could also be a warning sign. One of the most important tasks to ensure is communicating with children about what they are interested in online and what social media topics become conversation points in their school groups. Even for parents whose children are not on social media, anxiety remains vital as peer pressure and trends spread quickly and widely. In addition, exercise parental control over their social media accounts and set time limits on the use of their digital devices to ensure healthy behavior and safe use.
