TikTok trends: Experts warn of dangerous trends you don’t want your kids to do

There’s plenty to love on TikTok but – as highlighted by an Adelaide boy being hospitalised – it’s also home to some risky challenges. Here’s what parents need to look out for.

Mt Barker United Netball Club coach Renee Bell says sport is a great way to get kids off their phones and away from social media. She is pictured here with Maddie Tidemann and her daughter, Airlee Bell. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Daggy dads who’ve been roped into a dancing video with their delighted daughters can attest there’s some great fun to be had on TikTok.

From lip-synching battles to viral dance challenges, heartwarming feel-good trends and cooking hacks, there are reasons – beyond a sophisticated algorithm that serves up particular content to certain demographics – why the social media platform has amassed an estimated 1.1 billion users around the globe.

But while much of the content is harmless, the free social media app is also home to dangerous trends and, sadly, it’s kids who are most vulnerable.

This week, an Adelaide mother told how her son ended up in hospital with a concussion after attempting the “thumb blowing” challenge, reportedly popular with school kids in which they film themselves hyperventilating and passing out.

It’s just one of many weird, wacky and strange social media stunts to have captivated a young audience in recent years.

Much of the content is harmless, fun and feel-good but experts want parents to be aware of some of the dangerous trends on social media apps such as TikTok. Mt Barker United Netball Club players Eleanor, Maddie, Trinity and Airlee have no issue setting their phones aside to play sport. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Many are innocuous, such as the “mannequin challenge”, in which kids are videoed remaining as still as possible, in their best effort to channel a mannequin.

But some are potentially problematic, if not downright dangerous.

Kids – and adults – have dared each other to pour salt in their hands and hold ice until it burns, cover their faces in hot wax, yank their hair quickly to make a “popping” sound from their scalp and drink an excessive amount of antihistamine, Benadryl.

Others involve fire and alcohol or other flammable liquid.

US-based child and adolescent family therapist Darby Fox says the issue for kids is they “don’t have a real connection with the reality”.

“They can’t make a connection or preview what may be the possible risk … we know their developing brain has more excitability to it than the ones that inhibit or say stop,” she said.

She says while it is impossible to stay ahead of the latest “crazy” challenge, it is important to monitor the type of content kids are watching.

“A lot of parents think TikTok is harmless and just dancing videos, they have no idea about these challenges … parents need to have some awareness (and also) to educate themselves.”

Co-founder of Australia’s Cyber Safety Project, Trent Ray, agrees parents need to be engaging openly with their kids, adding social media can glorify and celebrate risk-taking.

“TikTok challenges can emerge rapidly, so for parents it’s important to be chatting regularly with their teenagers to gain insights into what they are exposed to online,” he said.

“We also recommend bringing up popular trends such as ‘the hold challenge’ and asking your children to critically evaluate the risks or harms associated with participating.

“We are seeing (and hearing reports form our schools) of young people falling into harm’s way.”

So, what is it about video-sharing app that appeals so much to young people – technically, kids should be 13 to access TikTok but younger children find workarounds.

Respected psychologist and cyberpsychology consultant Jocelyn Brewer says TikTok creates a “sense of belonging and connection”.

“When you are involved with, and know about the latest trends and memes, you have an opportunity to create/recreate your own ‘take’ and interpretation … and build these connections and social capital, not just within your friendship group or even school but a much larger audience,” she said.

“This can lead to kids making risky and risqué choices in online spaces in the hope of increasing their connection.

“We watch cooking shows, kids watch dancing videos (but) the issue ends up being the extreme and violent content that kids can be exposed to.”

Ms Brewer says there are positive aspects to TikTok in terms of social learning and connection but time spent on it needed to be balanced with doing other things.

Mt Barker school teacher and mum-of-three Renee Bell says daily sport commitments keep her kids active and off their screens.

“At night, phones are handed in and I’ll do random checks (of their phones) … my kids also have to be friends with me on social media,” she said, adding the family has open discussions about social media use.

The Advertiser reached out to SA Health and the Education Department for statistics on known injuries through TikTok but did not get a response.