Dangerous challenges
Also known as:
- viral trends
- online challenges
- trending challenges
- dares
What is Risk ?
Digital risk factors associated with their interests and activities
Online challenge trends can spread quickly online. They are designed to be shocking or exciting and can appeal particularly to young people.
Someone who shares a video of an online challenge might tag or nominate others to attempt it. Examples of dangerous challenges include the:
- Tide Pod challenge, which involves eating detergent
- blackout challenge, which involves self-choking
- benadryl challenge, which involves overdosing on antihistamines
Online challenges are usually spread using:
- social media
- live streaming platforms
- video streaming platforms
- group messaging chats
Sometimes news can spread about a dangerous challenge when nobody has been harmed. Some trends, for example, the Momo challenge, are hoaxes.
Online platforms have a legal responsibility to keep users safe. However, because dangerous challenges can spread very quickly, risky or harmful videos might still be viewed or shared.
Where this can happen
Risks and motivations
Risks
Physical harm
A child or young person who sees a dangerous challenge online might want to copy it.Attempting dangerous challenges can cause physical harm. A child or young person could feel uncomfortable, unwell or in pain.
Some dangerous challenges might also involve causing physical harm to others. In extreme cases, dangerous challenges have resulted in the death of a child or young person.
Upsetting content and emotional harm
Some online challenges can be upsetting to watch. Footage can involve videos of people in pain or being hurt. A child or young person might be unsure or scared about a challenge they have seen online. They may also be upset or frightened about taking part in a challenge.
Illegal behaviours
A child or young person taking part in an online challenge might commit a criminal offence. For example, if a challenge involves hurting someone or damaging property.
Being found guilty of behaviours like assault, harassment or vandalism might result in a fine, criminal record or prison sentence.
Sharing content
A child or young person might share or repost a dangerous challenge. Some dangerous content will be against a platform’s terms of service. Sharing this could lead to a child or young person being banned or suspended from a platform.
A child or young person might also get in trouble at school for sharing a challenge. For example, when a video involves harassing or bullying other students.
Motivations
Reasons a child or young person may take part in, view or share dangerous challenges include:
- for fun or a challenge
- curiosity or boredom
- for attention, followers or likes
- having been nominated or pressured
- seeing an influencer or popular figure take part
- not understanding potential risks and impact
Young people’s voice
I heard about this challenge where you click on a link to reveal an image and the image will either be one of two things: something cute and funny or something horrifying. I’ve always been bullied for being weak, so a part of me wanted to do the challenge just to prove that I’m not a cry-baby. I really wish I hadn’t though. What I saw made me feel physically sick and dizzy – it was literally the worst thing I’ve ever seen! I still can’t get that picture out my mind. I just want to know how to stop being reminded of it 24/7.
13-year-old.
Children’s experiences of legal but harmful content online, Childline and NSPCC, 2022
What you can do
You may be working with a child or young person who takes part in online challenges and trends. It might be helpful to get more information about the specific online challenges these are. For example, it might turn out to be more or less dangerous than it first appears.
After doing some research you could have a conversation with a child or young person. This can be one way to limit some risks and harms. You could speak about:
- specific challenges or trends they engage with
- why they engage with these challenges
- pausing and thinking critically about challenges
- how content creators can edit or fake their challenge videos
- possible risks and harms
- possible consequences, like police action
- how you can always say ‘no’ to something even if there’s an audience
- speaking to a trusted adult if ever unsure or worried
Mentioning a specific challenge can unintentionally spread awareness of it to others. For example, a child or young person might search for an online challenge based on something you have said.
If you think that a young person is at risk, follow your safeguarding procedure and read our safeguarding guidance.
Support
A child or young person’s recovery will depend on the harm they have experienced.
They may be upset or have questions about a challenge they have seen online. Exploring reporting options on popular platforms can be one way to help them feel more in control.
You may also need to contact the police or a school if a child or young person has experienced disciplinary action. For example, speaking to a school if they have been suspended for taking part in a challenge where another pupil was hurt.
Working out possible next steps can help a child or young person feel less anxious or worried about the future.
- De-escalating and responding to harmful online challenges (UK Safer Internet Centre) – Website
- Harmful online challenges and online hoaxes (GOV.UK) – Website
- Advice for schools on responding to online challenges (Childnet) – Website
- How to support young people who encounter upsetting content online (Childnet) – Website
Read more about dangerous challenges
- Exploring effective prevention education responses to dangerous online challenges (Praesidio Safeguarding) – File
- Research into risk factors that may lead children to harm online (Revealing Reality) – Website
- Viral internet challenges scale in preadolescents: An exploratory study (Current Psychology Journal) – Journal
- Dangerous challenges are just a click away (Fair Play for Kids) – File
Share your experience of dangerous challenges
You can tell us about:
- other terms you might have heard
- conversations you’ve had with young people
- a related platform or app
- another related risk or harm