In the age of social media, everything is being broadcast online for the world to see, from bad breakups to parenting mistakes. Psychologists warn that some of those mistakes also include pranks that seem harmless but may have serious effects on children. Prank videos are very popular on social media, and now platforms like TikTok and Instagram are flooded with videos of parents pulling pranks on their children. Many of these videos, posted for entertainment, received millions of likes. While most people believe these pranks are all in good fun, child psychologists and parenting experts warned that long-term emotional consequences can occur.
The Rise of Viral Prank Challenges
Many pranks have spread like wildfire on social media, prompting more and more people to participate in the trends. The viral pranks lead to parents laughing at their children’s surprised or distressed reactions. Some of the most popular pranks include:
The #EggCrackChallenge: Parents pretend to be cooking with their children only to crack an egg on their forehead.
The #CheeseSliceChallenge – Parents suddenly throw a slice of cheese right in their child’s face to get a reaction.
The #GrinchPrank – Parents and relatives dress up as the Grinch and startle children by sneaking up on them.
The #GhostPrank: Parents and relatives trick children into standing in a room, turning off the light, and locking them inside with a ghost filter on the phone screen that frightens them.
While some of these pranks have made children giggle in excitement, others made them panic and shed tears. These pranks have been discouraged by concerned physiologists who shared the impacts these stunts can have on children.
Why Experts Say It’s Not Just Harmless Fun
Damage Trust
Pranking children, especially on public platforms, can have unimaginable consequences, according to experts. Dr Amy Marschall, a clinical psychologist, discouraged parents from lying to children to involve them in pranks. She explained that children rely on their parents for safety and comfort. However, when they are repeatedly tricked into pranks that make them feel embarrassed and scared, they stop trusting their parents.
Physically Hurt
Dr Niky, a paediatrician and parenting educator, also chimed in on the discussion, explaining that some pranks, like the Egg Crack Challenge, can be painful for children. As a result, they suffer not only embarrassment; they also experience physical pain.
Videos On Social Media Can Come Back To Haunt Them
Furthermore, viral prank videos that capture distressed children can resurface years later and cause challenges. They may have self-esteem issues from the videos or have issues in their social life if these videos are used to criticise them.
Anxiety
Children may experience anxiety if they are frequently pranked, especially when the pranks are unpleasant. It can lead to “heightened stress responses, emotional withdrawal, or even difficulty distinguishing between real and fake threats,” according to Dr Linda Carter, a child behaviour specialist.
Trauma
Pranks that induce fear, like locking a young child in a dark room, can cause trauma. When others may laugh at their pain, this can also worsen the situation. This can drive them to withdraw from those around them and feel ridiculed by friends and family and humiliated in front of a global audience.
Consent for Posting Children Online
Dr Marschall stated that children should not be posted online when upset over pranks, similar to how adults have the right to refuse permission for their footage to be shared online. “Children deserve the same level of respect. If they are visibly upset or distressed, their reactions should not be shared for public amusement,” Dr. Marschall said, according to Yahoo Life.
Rethinking the Approach: Making Jokes Safe and Inclusive
Experts sought to remind social media users that they could do safe pranks and encouraged parents not to make children feel like targets. Here are some ways to keep pranks fun and safe:
- Get their consent. Experts encouraged parents to receive consent from their children instead of tricking them.
- Make it light-hearted. Rather than aiming to scare or humiliate the child, add a fun twist to make it humorous for both participants. For instance, letting the child crack the egg on their parent’s forehead.
- Respect their boundaries. Stop when a child shows that they are uncomfortable and they do not want to participate.
- Think before posting. Consider if there are any negative long-term impacts that the video can cause.
