MOE warns parents of fatal social media challenges

The ministry of education of Singapore (MOE) has advised parents to watch over their children who may participate in dangerous social media challenges. The challenges trending online include the 'Blackout Challenge' and 'Skull Breaker Challenge'. 

Both these challenges, according to an advisory MOE issued on the Parents Gateway app, are potentially fatal. "We are bringing this matter to your attention so that you can watch out for your children should they seek to attempt such challenges, whether as a prank or otherwise," said the statement. 

The 'Blackout Challenge' saw people choking themselves with household items until they black out for a few seconds.

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Most recently, a video featuring two schoolboys wearing St Hilda's Secondary School uniform went viral. In the now-deleted video on TikTok shared by content creator Runner Kao, one of the boy was seen choking another boy until he lost consciousness. As the boy loses consciousness, the grappler and his friends are heard laughing hysterically, according to media reports. 

Meanwhile, the 'Skull Breaker Challenge' see people attempting to kick a person who is jumping in an attempt to make the jumper fall backwards and land headfirst. 

Although cyber wellness lessons are held to teach students how to be safe and responsible online users, the MOE has sought parents' cooperation to play an active role in guiding their children to make safe and responsible decisions about risky online challenges. 

Some tips it outlined for parents included staying informed about online trends, discussing the risks of online challenges with children and encouraging the child to seek help from a parent or teaches should they be aware of their friends attempting such dangerous challenges. 

The 'Blackout Challenge' has also caused quite an uproar overseas. In 2022, parents of 10-year-old girl sued TikTok, blaming the social media platform for the death of the girl, as reported by Bloomberg. Nylah Anderson had participated in the challenge and was found unconscious in her bedroom. She reportedly spent five days in a pediatric intensive care unit before succumbing to her injuries. 

In addition, two mothers had also sued TikTok and YouTube over the choking challenge videos. TikTok and YouTube won the suit in February this year as the mothers failed to put forth viable claims for products liability, negligence and misrepresentation, according to Bloomberg Law. 

Protecting children on social media has been a big conversation in the past few years. In November last year, Australia passed a law banning social media access for children under the age of 16, with Singapore and Malaysia looking to implement similar laws.  

In conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE at the time, industry professionals said such a ban may impact marketers and the way they approach their strategies. Rengeeta Rendava, founder and managing director, Mad Hat Asia said that they will be "significant uptick in platforms that are open world, encrypted and less regulated- ranging from Telegram to Roblox, which may be an opportunity for marketers, but is a double-edged sword." 

Similarly, Tanner Nagib, strategic advisor, REBL said that with restrictions in place, marketers will need to shift their focus, investing in age-appropriate platforms or using more traditional channels like television, out-of-home media, events, and family-oriented content.

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