The dark side of the internet is playing with the minds and health of alpha kids. Influenced by what they see on social networks, they do all sorts of stupid challenges, which can even lead to death. So there are psychiatrists who recommend banning these networks.
The superman challenge is fashionable among students PHOTO Adevărul
The content of certain social networks, such as Tik-Tok, plays with people’s minds, experts say. The most vulnerable are the adolescents and teenagers of the alpha generation, who spend a good part of the day in the virtual world of the Internet. On the one hand, experts say, they experience a negative influence from opinion leaders, self-titled and propelled by these networks, based only on views, not content, and on the other hand, they are subliminally urged to challenges that more stupid ones, which can lead to serious injuries or even death.
The worst part, the teachers also show, is that parents cannot effectively control the content, especially in the case of teenagers, without entering into conflict with the young person or losing their image capital to him. Psychologists admit that the situation is delicate and say that prohibiting access to these platforms, by law, until a certain age is the best solution. Last but not least, the area of social platforms is also an ideal beach for influencers specializing in social and political manipulation. And the predilected victims are including adults with social vulnerabilities but also a poorly developed critical spirit.
Teenagers, cannon fodder for Tik-Tok messages
Alpha teenagers are a highly technological generation that bases much of their documentation, in many areas of life, on the Internet. Social networks, experts say, have a tremendous influence on this generation that lives a lot in virtual space. Tik-Tok influencers, for example, give them “answers” on certain aspects of life, opinions on society and the future, and role models. And not all influencers provide helpful or positive examples. Social media is often taken much more seriously than parents or school.
“It’s a very fine line. Forbidding them to enter these networks or the Internet is practically outlining a suspended fruit, which they will not hesitate to obtain when they deceive the vigilance of the parent. Forbidding the parent risks being considered an adversary by the adolescent, as opposed to the influencers he trusts. It is a delicate situation that requires careful management but also a personal example. If the child also sees us, the adults, accessing these networks.”says Cristina Bălăucă, teacher and deputy general school inspector, in Botoșani.
In addition, adolescents, in particular, say doctors do not have a developed critical spirit, nor are they able to differentiate, effectively, between positive and harmful. That is why they are highly exposed to inappropriate, controversial content on social media. They are the perfect victims.
“A child at the age of puberty cannot be said to be able to discern between right and wrong, to have critical thinking. But there is that dose of impulsiveness specific to the age of puberty that makes the teenager respond to many challenges on tik-tok, for example, considering them a challenge that comes to show him that he is capable, that he is strong, that he will get attention to the others. And it’s the validation he needs.”says Laura Jijie, pediatric psychiatrist.
Moreover, experts say, by following those influencers, or different messages on tik-tok, teenagers risk creating a distorted image of reality, of the sets of values that matter in society.
Theories such as “the Earth is flat”, conspiracy theories and other controversial or outright false information are promoted on these networks. “Unfortunately, more and more children lately are more influenced by what they receive on the internet than by what their parents and teachers say. They end up not even doing their homework. I use virtual reality. Under these conditions, they do not develop that critical spirit. Which seems very serious to me”says Laura Dănilă, specialist psychologist and speech therapist. In addition, children have access to videos with disturbing content that can affect them emotionally.
“There is a phenomenon of contagion among teenagers”
The fact that social media, with little or no parental control, can prove to be the new everyday reality of teenagers and even middle school kids. Challenges, content, social standards imposed by influencers or users, plus false information that induce fear, psychologically destabilize puberty and adolescence. It can lead to suicide, doctors warn, with many specific cases.
“The Internet has also brought with it a great deal of loneliness among children. They no longer interact in a natural, real way. This refuge in the virtual, especially in emotionally vulnerable children, such as those with depression and anxiety, these symptoms can be accentuated. Depression is accentuated. I have also had cases where answering some challenges on tik-tok led to further, including suicide. There is even a phenomenon of social contagion among teenagers. They actually have them one after the other”says Laura Jijie.
Potentially Deadly Challenges on Tik Tok
But the most serious are the challenges promoted through videos on Tik-Tok. From voluntary suffocations, to crushing with furniture and self-mutilation. All filmed and presented as acts of bravery on the networks, where parents have less and less control. The latest trendy challenge is called “Superman” and consists of projecting a person in the air, with the help of a group, which creates a propulsive action with the help of the hands. Most of the time the person thrown into the air lands in walls, in furniture or actually on the ground, resulting in serious injuries. In Romania, there have already been numerous cases of children or teenagers who arrived at the hospital with fractures or other types of trauma following this popular challenge on Tik-Tok. Only in Botoșani, recently, two children arrived at the hospital with serious fractures to their limbs after being thrown into the air and hitting different pieces of furniture. Emergency doctors call attention and say that at any time such an experience can end with the death of one of the children.
“It was brought to my attention from the Department of Pediatrics that a certain number of children, after viewing some videos on Tik-Tok, would have resorted to procedures that would have proven to be self-mutilating. They cannot be aware of what such a challenge can be resolved. Namely that a certain blow can even endanger your life and that there can be hematomas in the brain that can have an evolution towards death.”says the head of UPU Botoșani, Ramona Guraliuc.
Lack of affection within the family
Psychiatrists say that these challenges are taken very seriously by teenagers because they need recognition and appreciation in the group. He’s trying to get attention. Specialists say that often these behaviors can also occur when teenagers or children feel a lack of affection or attention from their parents.
“It is a worrying phenomenon that both parents and educators must take seriously. Puberty children and teenagers are more exposed to the danger of responding to these challenges. I do it because puberty itself is an age of emotional instability, a certain self-doubt that can underlie this response to the challenge, to show others that they can be capable of extraordinary things, to gain validation and admiration from others, in this case classmates. Because this challenge always takes place in the group. This need for validation can sometimes be associated with a lack of affection and attention from the family environment that the adolescent tries to compensate for”says Laura Jijie.
It states that a good idea would be to ban the Tik-Tok platform, for example, especially for children and teenagers. “This negative impact means that in some countries the banning of Tik-Tok, for example, can be questioned. Weighing the pros and cons of this app. Which is a good thing.”adds Laura Jijie.
