The origins of internet hazards and their potential perilous outcomes
Is the Social Media Blame for Dangerous Online Challenges Misplaced?
By Ingo Jacobs
Connect with Us Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Email Print Copy Link Online challenges stir up controversy, sometimes with deadly consequences. However, media psychologist Benjamin P. Lange believes the root of the problem goes deeper.
Take the infamous "Run-it-straight" challenge, highlighted by a tragic incident in Auckland, where two young men collided head-on, without safety gear. The tale of woe isn't an isolated case. Plenty of social media-fueled dares, such as the Blackout Challenge, Cinnamon Challenge, Hot Chip Challenge, and car surfing, have also resulted in injuries and fatalities.
Power, Status, and Evolutionary Strivings
Media outlets often focus on young children falling prey to these perilous challenges, but numerous studies show a specific demographic is particularly drawn to such risky behaviors: young men. Media psychologist Benjamin P. Lange of IU International University explains, "The rivalry within young men is incredibly strong." He considers the crosses along country roads, with names and birth-death dates that often show a 18, 19, or 20-year age difference, as evidence of this dynamic. He terms it "competitive aggression" and maintains that such behavior is sparked by the presence of a rival.
Panorama "Banned but Popular" Teenagers' growing fascination with nicotine pouches Despite platforms attempting to block dangerous search terms and delete corresponding videos, treacherous online challenges continue to thrive. According to US statistics, 67 percent of teenagers surveyed claimed they had seen at least one dangerous online challenge within the past year. A study conducted by TikTok itself in 2021 revealed that at least 0.3 percent of 10,000 teenagers surveyed had engaged in "very dangerous" challenges. Given the platform's estimated daily user base of nearly a billion, these statistics suggest that the fascination with such challenges remains strong.
A Closer Look at the Impact of Social Media
While social media is often blamed for these tragic incidents, it's essential to delve deeper into the issue. Lange voices skepticism about the platforms' intent to curb the spread of dangerous challenges: "They thrive on traffic, clicks, viewer numbers, likes, and subscribers. If they were to honestly tell me, 'We don't want to filter that out because we generate traffic with it,' I would say, 'Thank you for your honesty.'"
He continues to argue that competitions among young men are not a modern phenomenon caused by social media. Instead, social media amplifies the dares, making them more viral and contagious.
The Role of Boredom and Peer Pressure
According to Lange, another contributing factor for participating in online challenges is boredom: "Young men engage in these foolish actions because they're bored and crave stimulation." He also emphasizes the importance of peer pressure and the desire for recognition in fueling such activities.
Toward Safer Competition
Lange suggests that the solution does not lie in banning social media, as young men will simply seek out other channels. Instead, he advocates channeling the natural urge to compete into regulated, preferably sporting activities. These could include combat sports or other physical activities under supervision to prevent things from going too far.
In Conclusion
Though social media plays a significant role in the spread of dangerous online challenges, the root causes of such behavior run deeper. Understanding these motivations is crucial to developing effective strategies to prevent tragic incidents resulting from such challenges. In this sense, it is essential to address the underlying psychological factors and promote safe, structured ways for young people to channel their competitive instincts.
Additional Insights- The "Run-it-straight" challenge is just one example of numerous online challenges that, fueled by social media, can lead to deadly consequences.- The social media platforms impact the spread of dangerous challenges, with their thirst for traffic making such content more viral.- Young men's competitive aggression prompted by the presence of a rival and their desire for status and recognition can lead to risky behavior and the participation in dangerous online challenges.- Peer pressure, boredom, and the need for stimulation also contribute to young men's participation in online challenges.- Banning social media may not be an effective solution, as young men will find other avenues to engage in such activities. Instead, promoting safe, structured ways to channel their competitive instincts is advocated.
Sources: ntv.de, [Enrichment Data 1], [Enrichment Data 2], [Enrichment Data 3], [Enrichment Data 4]
- The Community policy and employment policy, as well as the science of media psychology, are essential in addressing the issue of dangerous online challenges.
- In discussions about the influence of health-and-wellness, mental-health, and general-news on society, dangerous online challenges should not be overlooked.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, understanding the factors that drive young men to participate in dangerous online challenges can help in devising appropriate solutions.
- To delve deeper into entertainment and its impact on young audiences, the role of social-media in perpetuating dangerous online challenges should be considered and addressed.
