De-escalating and responding to harmful online challenges

This week's blog comes from The UK Safer Internet Centre

Online challenges, viral stories, hoaxes, or digital ghost stories can commonly appear online through social media or other online platforms. The ‘challenges’ themselves can vary but often encourage individuals to harm themselves, others, or property in the real world. They are often created to cause alarm and have been designed to seem enticing or exciting for young people.

Best practices for parents and carers Don’t panic Online challenges are deemed successful when they cause panic. Don’t get caught up in the panic and take a step back before acting any further. A calm and collected manner can help prevent the spread of unnecessary worry and panic. Don’t name it Warning others about an online challenge may seem like the smart thing to do but naming it can inadvertently direct other people to it. Sending warnings can draw unwanted attention towards the challenge and the potential harm it can bring. Minimise the exposure and don’t give your child something to look for! Report it Stop the spread of harm by reporting it online. Social media sites and other platforms should direct users to report content that is harmful. If you want further advice around content that is legal but harmful, visit Report Harmful Content. You should also alert relevant authorities if you are concerned about real-world offline harm that a challenge is potentially causing. Have open conversations Children and young people can encounter online challenges that may cause upset, they may also see challenges that may initially seem ‘fun’ but could actually cause real offline harm. Ensure that you or someone your child can trust is available to talk. Try to de-escalate the problem without causing more worry and know where to go for further support such as correct reporting channels, or emotional support services such as The Mix. Discussing our online lives can allow family members to feel confident to come forward for support. This can also help in preventing online challenges from growing.