Gone are the days when sending your kids to school and making sure they have their latest homework done is enough. With the rise of social media and the increasing use of technology by young people, parents now need to be aware of viral trends that are bordering on harmful and even deadly. Including stunts and challenges, the events became popular on social media and spread to school venues, often among groups of influential teenagers. Recently, education and health authorities across the UAE have been urging schools and parents to remain vigilant as a number of dangerous physical challenges re-emerge among children and adolescents.
What’s wrong?
Schools have notified education authorities of incidents in which students engaged in unsafe activities such as choking, holding their breath, and applying pressure to the neck or head while attempting social media challenges.One particular trend that is extremely worrying is the “skull buster challenge”, in which a student is deliberately thrown down. Stunts that went viral on TikTok in 2020 included tricking people into jumping and then intentionally tripping them, often causing them to land on their backs or heads.
Doctors warn of ‘permanent damage’
What may start as a prank can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation, according to multiple health professionals. Dr. Rabea Abazeed, a pediatrician at Burjeel Medical Center in Shamka, said these viral challenges are “extremely dangerous” and can cause serious and “sometimes permanent harm.”“The ‘skull-crushing’ stunt results in a sudden, uncontrolled fall, which can result in head injuries such as concussion, skull fracture, brain injury or spinal trauma,” she added. Dr Renuka Ramasamy, family medicine specialist at International Modern Hospital in Dubai, added that behaviors such as choking or respiratory restriction are particularly concerning. She warned specifically of the so-called “blackout challenge.” The blackout challenge involves intentionally limiting the supply of oxygen to the brain until you feel dizzy. Ramasamy warned that teenagers could end up suffocating until they lose consciousness, and that the challenge could cause permanent brain damage or death within five minutes because the brain is extremely sensitive to a lack of oxygen. “This type of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) rapidly damages brain cells and may have irreversible effects,” she said.According to statistics from the National Center for Health Research, at least 82 children aged 6 to 19 died from suffocation due to gaming activities between 1995 and 2007.
Why are children particularly vulnerable?
Experts emphasize that adolescents are a critical focus in addressing these challenges because they are going through social-emotional and brain development stages. Between the ages of 9 and 16, social media use increases dramatically, as does exposure to dangerous content. According to numerous studies, more screen time affects areas of the brain responsible for impulse control and emotion regulation. Add to that peer pressure and the desire for “likes” and “comments” and the allure of performing such stunts can become very high.
UAE schools raise awareness
Emirati schools are addressing such issues directly with the help of counselors and communications. Stephanie Watson, deputy principal of secondary school at Nord Anglia International School in Abu Dhabi, said the school has school counselors and trained health ambassadors who lead student-focused “wellness fairs” where young people speak openly about “real issues, including dangerous online challenges”.In addition, they offer PSME (Personal, Social and Moral Education) courses, which include digital safety programs tailored for each grade level.
How can parents help?
Health experts recommend watching for physical symptoms such as bloodshot eyes, small red dots around the eyes, unexplained marks or bruises on the neck, frequent severe headaches, and disorientation after being alone. The secrecy around devices and group chats and the language that normalizes such stunts can 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 which social media topics become conversation points within school groups. Even for parents whose children don’t use social media, this concern remains critical as peer pressure and trends spread rapidly. Additionally, put parental controls on their social media accounts while setting time limits on their digital device usage to ensure healthy behavior and safe usage.
