Internet does not only mean knowledge, fun and information. Unfortunately, apart from all this, it is also a place where everyone can express themselves freely, even if they say things that are not true (see misinformation) or are dangerous.
Somewhere in here comes a dangerous challenge called Blackout Challenge. Ο αποδέκτης της πρόκλησης επίτηδες προκαλεί επίτηδες ασφυξία στον εαυτό του. Προχωράει μέχρι να χάσει τις αισθήσεις του, και στη συνέχεια ανεβάζει το βίντεο του πνιγμού του στο TikTok. If he can, of course.
In this particular challenge, teenagers try to test their limits, with an extremely dangerous test, which has appeared on many social media.
The challenge requires users to strangle themselves with a cable or string until they are unconscious for a few seconds. Then, when they regain consciousness, they are asked to upload the video as proof of their courage.
The Blackout Challenge can cause fainting, seizures, and even brain damage, but these seem to be fine words for teens trying to prove they count.
This is the internet that is seriously damaging to your health, and if you are a parent you need to be careful. Do you know what your kids are up to online? Do you know their friends?
Before we mourn new victims you need to know, as prevention is the best treatment.
Tips for protecting children from dangerous online challenges (blackout challenge)
Discreet oversight of children's online activities and regular discussions on safe navigation issues are the two main pillars that can provide children with positive online experiences and prevent them from getting involved in dangerous situations.
The Hellenic Center for Safe Internet of ITE draws the attention of parents to the various challenges that from time to time circulate on the internet. One of them is the "blackout challenge", a challenge game on TIK TOK which can lead to a permanent loss of nervous operation, mental disability or even death.
Users in various ways and while filming the process, cause themselves to stop the oxygenation of the brain resulting in loss of consciousness. Any activity that deprives the brain of oxygen can cause permanent loss of nerve function, permanent mental disability or even death. In addition, there is the risk of a serious blow to the head when the user falls to the ground.
It should be noted that at present there is no confirmed victim of this challenge in our country, but abroad there have been cases of children who have lost their lives.
The vulnerability of age, curiosity, peer pressure, the tendency to imitate, as well as the sense of belonging, taking into account the characteristics of the age of children, adolescents and young people, play a decisive and reinforcing factor in exposure to such risks. . Therefore, it becomes imperative and necessary to concern us, not only as a peculiar and individual "phenomenon", but as part of a set of harmful behaviors and associated risks, which require constant information and training.
Tips for parents:
- Maintain a good relationship with your child and develop quality communication, so that he feels comfortable reporting his online activity (online friends, websites he visits, etc.) and potential online risks he faces.
- Check his emotional well-being by investigating if there is anything that concerns him and makes it emotionally difficult.
- Discreetly monitor their online activities and report risks on the Internet. Remember to talk about the dangers of the Internet, without exaggerating the nature of the danger and the extent to which the Internet itself is a dangerous environment. Adults need to understand that an overreaction can be potentially detrimental to their future relationship / communication with their children.
- Talk about peer pressure: One of the key issues with cyberbullying is peer pressure. Young people can sometimes take on such challenges because it is what all their friends are doing or seem to be doing and saying "NO" can be very difficult. Remind them and explain that it is okay to say NO
in things that do not feel comfortable and emphasize that it is important to make their own personal choices.
- Stay calm and do your research: When online challenges are reported by children or young people or appear in the media, it is important to provide all the information you need to be able to effectively inform and support your child. .
- Talk to your child: Start a discussion about the online challenges that may have piqued your child's interest, inform them about them, but also about the challenges on the Internet in general.
- Avoid presenting annoying or scary content: It is important to remember that even when something is widely reported on the Internet, it does not mean that everyone has seen or heard it. You can inform your child about the dangers of online challenges, without giving examples or giving clear details. Instead, divert your thinking to good things in life, such as the Internet of Things. For example, talk about avoiding contact with unfamiliar and strange profiles, introduce reporting and exclusion tools, encourage the ability to communicate with a trusted adult to allow questions or concerns to be resolved.
- Avoid naming about dangerous challenges: Defining / naming a challenge can help to spread it further. Therefore, instead of focusing on a specific online game, challenge, or image, give practical advice in the event that anything happens on the Internet that worries, upsets, or offends your child.
- Talk about effective coping practices: It is important to give your child strategies for dealing with such online content and challenges.
- If he receives an invitation on the Internet to participate in dangerous "games", dangerous behaviors or online discussions, which makes him feel uncomfortable, he should:
- To keep evidence data (screen shots),
- Indicate, through complaint reporting tools, the incident and the evidence,
- Block the person (eg, profile) or the number that is harassing them,
- Report the incident directly to you or to an adult you trust,
- To address specialized bodies such as:
Help Line Help-Line.gr at 210 6007686
Open line of complaints about illegal content on the internet SafeLine.gr
Cybercrime Prosecution (11188)
- If he realizes that another child or teenager is participating or planning to participate in dangerous online challenges, he / she should immediately inform an adult or call the Help-Line.gr Helpline or the Open complaint line for the illegal content on the internet SafeLine.gr or D Cybercrime.
