Dubai – Social media platforms like TikTok are exposing children and teenagers to dangerous content disguised as entertainment, with viral trends promoting life-threatening behaviors, experts have warned.
From “how to blackout” tips to self-harm challenges, these stunts prey on youthful curiosity and the desire for social recognition, leading many to take extreme risks.
While parents bear the responsibility at home, schools also face increasing pressure to protect students from engaging in harmful social media trends.
Understanding the Risks
Dr. Salman Kareem, a specialist psychiatrist at Aster Clinic, highlighted that children and teens are highly susceptible to viral challenges due to their developmental stage.
“Children naturally crave acceptance and appreciation from their peers. Participating in trending challenges provides instant social recognition and a sense of belonging,” he explained.
Beyond peer pressure, neurological development plays a key role. The teenage brain is still maturing—especially the prefrontal cortex, which governs impulse control and risk assessment.
“This makes them more vulnerable to peer influence and less capable of fully evaluating consequences,” Dr. Kareem added.
Social media platforms further exploit this vulnerability. Likes, comments, and shares trigger dopamine release, reinforcing behavior and creating addictive cycles that can override rational decision-making.
A Collective Responsibility
Experts emphasize that combating harmful social media trends requires a unified approach involving parents, schools, and students.
While banning social media may seem like an easy solution, Dr. Kareem believes it is ineffective. Instead, he urges parents to engage with their children, explore content together, and educate them on digital literacy.
“Parents should adjust supervision based on the child’s age and maturity, have judgment-free conversations about social media experiences, and teach children how platforms use psychological techniques to boost engagement,” he advised.
Schools, as a second home for students, play a crucial role in digital safety. “Schools must integrate digital citizenship and critical thinking into the curriculum while fostering open communication channels where students feel safe discussing online content,” Dr. Kareem added.
Digital Safety Measures in Schools
Lisa Johnson, Principal of the American Academy for Girls, stressed the need for student-led initiatives to promote digital wellbeing.
“Our student mental health ambassadors lead awareness campaigns on social media risks, working alongside Home Mental Health Leaders to help younger students build strong digital citizenship skills,” she said.
Beyond student involvement, schools must also work closely with families. “Parent mental health ambassadors receive training to support digital health at home. While we haven’t faced major issues, we focus on mitigating broader concerns like body image, self-esteem, and overexposure to digital media,” Johnson noted.
Meanwhile, institutions like Taaleem have implemented strict digital protection policies. “All staff are trained to address e-safety concerns, and students must sign an Acceptable Use Agreement before accessing school e-services,” the school’s representative stated.
Similarly, Abhilasha Singh, principal at Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi, emphasized structured monitoring instead of outright bans.
“We use school-provided devices with firewalls blocking non-educational content. If behavioral incidents arise, we follow a structured intervention plan involving parents and counseling support.”
To further support students, Shining Star recently introduced a ‘Self-Care’ programme focusing on mental wellbeing and life skills. “Our goal is to equip students with coping strategies and independent thinking skills. When they graduate, they leave as young adults capable of making informed choices,” Singh added.
As social media continues to evolve, experts urge a proactive, education-driven approach to ensure children and teens stay safe in the digital world.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members