Do you let your child use TikTok? Well if you do, here are some scary TikTok challenges you need to look out for.
Anything is fair game for some people who want to go viral, from ridiculous practical jokes to risky challenges. TikTok trends typically feature entertaining dance moves or humorous filters, but occasionally a risky challenge or trend will appear.
Some of the trends that have been circulating on the app are not only risky but potentially fatal, ranging from users swerving their automobiles as they follow instructions from “Cha Cha Slide” to purposefully overdosing on drugs in the hopes of experiencing a high.
The most dangerous TikTok trends to go viral on social media in recent years are listed here. People should avoid these trends, and parents should be aware of them.
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Tiktok
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What makes TikTok “tick?”
The “For You Page,” or FYP for short, is an artificial intelligence (AI) produced stream of videos depending on the material the viewer has previously liked or interacted with.
For parents, this is an intense and terrifying competition.
Guillaume Chaslot, the creator of Algo Transparency, was interviewed by New York Times columnist Ben Smith a year ago. In the conversation, Chaslot said:
“I think it’s a crazy idea to let TikTok’s algorithm steer the life of our kids. Each video a kid watches, TikTok gains a piece of information on him. In a few hours, the algorithm can detect his musical tastes, his physical attraction, if he’s depressed, if he might be into drugs, and other sensitive information. There’s a high risk that some of this information will be used against him.”
Enter TikTok “Challenges.”
Tiktok Challenge
If you have an interesting idea and a memorable hashtag, you can establish a Tiktok Challenge, which is a popular competition on the app.
It’s important to remember that the TikTok safety rules state,
“We do not permit users to share content depicting, promoting, normalizing or glorifying dangerous acts that may lead to serious injury or death. We also do not allow content, which promotes or endorses collective participation in dangerous or harmful activities that violate any aspect of our Community Guidelines.”
In essence, TikTok will act after being informed of a violation, but it has been established that they cannot compete with the algorithm.
In just a few hours, challenges can generate millions of views and be shared across many media platforms. Here are three of the app’s most recent challenges that might cause havoc and some tips for keeping your kids safe.
Tiktok Blackout Challenge
The viral craze, also known as the “pass-out challenge” or the “fainting game,” urges players to self-strangulate until they fall unconscious in order to induce an altered state of awareness through oxygen deprivation.
If you are a parent in the millennial generation, you might recall learning about this dangerous issue in high school. It has returned in force. In the past 18 months, this struggle has cost the lives of at least 15 youngsters worldwide. Most victims were under 12 years old.
Orbeez Challenge
Who would have imagined that Orbeez could be made into a weapon?
Originally created as sensory toys, Orbeez beads grow into gelatinous balls when combined with water. The challenge invites viewers to shoot Orbeez out of airsoft guns at unknowing targets.
In their neighbourhoods or while commuting on roads, victims have reported being attacked.
Tiktok Invisible Challenge
Cybercriminals have also discovered a way to use challenges to propagate malware. People can utilise the “invisible body” filter, which leaves an outline of a person’s silhouette, as part of the “invisible challenge.”
Consider the invisibility cloak from Harry Potter. All in good fun, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, it has come to light that some users were naked while using the filter, which has prompted the curious to attempt to “reverse” the effect to view the person’s true appearance.
In order to “unfilter” the invisible filter, hackers have falsely promoted their own films that contain links to instructions. Hackers have access to credit cards, passwords, cryptocurrency wallets, and more once the link has been clicked.
Other Tiktok Challenges That Pose Danger To Your Child
1. Benadryl challenge
The Benadryl challenge encouraged TikTok users to overdose on the drug in an effort to get a high that might result in hallucinations. The films were removed by TikTok at the request of the Food and Drug Administration, which stressed that taking too much of the medicine might result in major heart issues, seizures, comas, or even death.
2. Coronavirus challenge
A so-called coronavirus challenge that urged individuals to kiss objects in public was going around in March of last year on social media. Almost a year later, the #coronaviruschallenge hashtag has received 3.1 billion views on TikTok. At the time, it had almost 100 million views.
3. Eye challenge
According to the eye challenge, putting a Ziploc bag of jelly, hand sanitiser, bleach, or shaving cream near one’s eye would cause it to change colour.
4. Silhouette Challenge
Women start out in normal attire for the silhouette challenge video before quickly changing into either lingerie or nothing at all. They are required to complete the challenge while positioned in a doorway with only their silhouette backlit by a red light.
However, when some individuals discovered how to modify the TikTok videos to disclose the women’s bodies, the Silhouette Challenge presented issues for participants. Without the women’s permission, some of the altered clips were published online.
5. Scalp popping
The scalp popping craze required participants to wrap a lock of hair at the top of someone’s head around their fingers and pull up, giving the subject’s scalp a “popping” appearance. Doctors advised against participating in the craze after TikTok users reported experiencing pain or even losing patches of hair when they tried the challenge.
6. Full face wax
After videos of full-face waxings started receiving millions of views, skin specialists advised TikTok users against trying a risky skincare fad. In this method, waxers apply wax all over their clients’ faces, including their ears and nostrils.
7. Burning pile challenge
In the burning pile challenge, TikTok users first appear in the video in normal attire before changing quickly and appearing suited up while waving a lighter in front of their faces. Madi Monroe, a popular TikTok user, attempted the fad, but her hair caught fire.
Image Source: iStock
8. Hyaluronic acid injections
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association has issued a warning following the appearance on TikTok of videos showing individuals injecting hyaluronic acid into their skin. TikTok users were advised by experts to avoid performing the operation themselves.
9. Sugar waxing
Since ancient times, sugar waxing has involved preparing a homemade mixture of sugar, lemon, and hot water that is then applied straight to the skin for waxing. But as the waxing method caught on on TikTok, specialists had to caution that if used improperly, it might result in burns, infections, and scarring.
10. Vampire fangs
On TikTok, a vampire fang craze was popular around Halloween last year. It required users to use superglue or nail glue to imitate real vampire fangs to their teeth. TikTok users were advised not to experiment with the trend by a dentist because it could harm their enamel and lead to ulcers.
11. Filing teeth
TikTok users who recorded videos of themselves using a nail file to file their teeth alarmed dentists. TikTok users were warned to contact their dentists rather than try to file their own teeth by dentists and dental students who posted their own videos on the app explaining why the practice is so risky because it could permanently damage the user’s enamel.
12. Stand up challenge
In the Stand Up Challenge, one person stands on their partner’s back as they both lie flat on the ground. The objective is for the person on their back to finally reach their shoulders while the person on their back slowly stands up.
People who are not professionally trained athletes or gymnasts shouldn’t undertake the challenge, a trainer advised, as they risk breaking their necks.
13. Penny challenge
The extremely risky penny challenge required TikTok users to partially plug in a charger before dropping a penny in the space. When the penny strikes the charger, it may set off an electrical spark or possibly a fire.
14. Jaw exercise
TikTok users said that using a jaw exerciser gave them a chiselled jawline. However, doctors cautioned that the device could wind up harming their teeth and jaw.
15. Nutmeg Challenge
TikTok users participated in the nutmeg challenge by combining milk or water with a spoonful of nutmeg in the hopes of feeling high. Nutmegs can be intoxicating in large doses, but they can also have lethal negative effects like hypothermia, hallucinations, coma, and death.
16. Skull breaker challenge
Children were drawn to the skull breaker challenge that was going around on TikTok last year. There were numerous injuries as a result of two individuals kicking the legs of a third party while they were jumping.
17. Throw it in the air challenge
A group of pals stood in a circle and stared down at a cellphone that was lying on the ground as part of the hurl it in the air challenge. The difficulty is to maintain your composure as you see an object fall on your head after it has been thrown into the air.
20. Cha Cha Slide challenge
With lyrics like “slide to the left, slide to the right,” DJ Casper’s song is the inspiration for the Cha Cha Slide challenge, although, unlike most TikTok trends, this one did not include dancing. Some users were veering recklessly on the road while driving their car to the tune and using commands like “criss-cross.”
21. Corn cob challenge
Participants were urged to try eating a corn cob that had been placed on a drill as part of the corn cob challenge. In his attempt, singer Jason Derulo seemed to chip his teeth.
22. Basketball beer challenge
In the basketball beer challenge, users of TikTok hold a beer can or bottle on top of a basketball, drop it, try to catch it, and then sip it in celebration. The bottles and cans, however, may bounce into people’s faces and crotches during botched attempts.
How to Set Up Parental Controls on TikTok
Family Pairing Mode
TikTok provides “Digital Well-being Tools” that parents can use.
One choice is the “restricted” mode, which eliminates anything that would be offensive to users under the age of 13, such as violence and nudity.
The most versatile and comprehensive choice is family safety mode. A child’s TikTok account is connected to their parents’ accounts via Family Pairing.
By choosing time restrictions for app users on different devices, managing privacy settings, and even choosing whether their child may search for videos, hashtags, or live videos, parents can see the content that their children are engaged with or seeing. The instructions from TikTok are listed below.
How to Set Up Family Pairing
To link parent and teen accounts:
- In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
- Tap the Menu button at the top.
- Tap Settings and privacy, then tap Family Pairing.
- Tap Parent or Teen.
- Follow the steps in the app to link accounts.
How to Manage Family Pairing Controls
To manage or view Family Pairing controls:
- In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
- Tap the Menu button at the top.
- Tap Settings and privacy, then tap Family Pairing.
- Select the account you want to manage.
- Update the controls, as needed.
How To Report Content On Tiktok
Users of the social media platform TikTok are advised to report any videos or images connected to risky challenges or trends.
Follow the steps below to report content:
- On a TikTok video, click the white arrow to the right.
- Click the “report” button with a flag icon.
- Comply with the guidelines given to report the content.
If you get messages about a challenge that you think is risky, ignore them and report the accounts right away.
TikTok is a platform for young people to learn, interact, and develop, but unprepared users run the risk of getting hurt. We can help kids be secure online by being involved, learning about parental controls, and having an open discussion about their digital activities.
Image Source: iStock
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