November 10, 2025, 1:53 p.m.
Shobha Bhaskar, MD
Social media is deeply ingrained in how kids connect, learn, and entertain themselves. TikTok offers creativity and laughter. As parents, we worry when a harmless viral challenge becomes something dangerous. Rather than banning phones or lecturing, I believe starting honest conversations is what helps children stay safe.
Why challenges captivate kids
Viral trends often spread rapidly. Short, visually arresting videos can make stunts look fun, harmless, or daring. Kids naturally want to fit in, experiment, or test boundaries. Algorithms then reinforce what they're seeing, making risky content seem more common than it is.
Real-life challenge examples
Some TikTok trends have caused real harm:
- The "Chromebook challenge" encourages teens to insert conductive objects into school-issued laptops to spark fires, leading to property damage and even arrests.
- The "door-kicking challenge" trend shows teens trespassing or kicking in people's front doors and is raising legal and safety concerns.
- Dangerous stunts involving riding on folding tables tethered to vehicles have resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.
- Medical professionals also warn about the "Benadryl challenge," in which individuals overdosed in an attempt to hallucinate, with at least three hospitalizations reported in one state.
These are not distant problems—they are happening everywhere. Kids see them, talk about them, and sometimes try them out.
How to open the door to conversation
Instead of making rules feel like punishment, I suggest framing the topic around curiosity and trust.
Ask without judgment, "What did you see today on TikTok?" or "Have you ever wondered why people do that stunt?" Let them talk first. When they do, you can gently name the risks: burns, falls, permanent injury, legal trouble, and embarrassment.
Offer a safety word or phrase they can use if they see something upsetting. Tell them they won't get in trouble for bringing it up. You can even practice with them what they might say, "That makes me uncomfortable. I'm logging out."
Set expectations around screen time and which apps are acceptable. Most of all, keep the conversation ongoing. Trends are constantly changing, so an older conversation won't cover new content.
In case of a medical emergency with a child, determine where the nearest accredited, Level I pediatric trauma center is located. St. Louis Children’s Hospital has six pediatric Emergency Department locations across the St. Louis and southern Illinois region. These include St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Belleville, Children’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Children’s Hospital at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Children’s Hospital at Northwest HealthCare, and Children’s Hospital at Progress West Hospital.
Shobha Bhaskar, MD, is a pediatric hospitalist with St. Louis Children's Hospital and WashU Medicine. She sees patients at St. Louis Children's Hospital facilities including Missouri Baptist Medical Center and Progress West Hospital.
